He’s one of the Monty Python team, the star of A Fish Called Wanda, and famous for his Ripping Yarns and travel documentaries.
But Sir Michael Palin is also an admirer of the exploits of the Orkney-born Victorian explorer, John Rae, who negotiated the North West Passage in Canada in the 1850s.
The Python star has now donated a set of new badges to the Explorer scout troop on the island in his role as patron of the John Rae Society, the organisation which is working to renovate the Orcadian’s former home.
The society’s president, Andrew Appleby, said yesterday he was delighted at the gift from the writer and actor, which has enabled his organisation to create the striking badges for the youngsters who are based in Kirkwall.
He said: “We have been blessed with a kind donation from Sir Michael, who has agreed to sponsor an Explorer’s badge.
“He became a patron of the society a couple of years ago after a research visit to Orkney and Rae’s family home, The Hall of Clestrain, while writing his wonderful book Erebus.
“Rae came into his story because of his discovery from the Inuit peoples of the tragic demise of Sir John Franklin’s expedition.
“Franklin was searching for the North West Passage from 1845-47, but his ships, Terror and Erebus, became locked in the ice and finally his whole force of men were lost to exposure, starvation and cannibalism.
“Just a few years ago, Orkney’s Adventure Scouts decided to call themselves The John Rae Explorer Scouts.
“This gave us an idea. What about making a special badge, not only for them, but other groups of youngsters and individuals who have explored and learned from John Rae’s example?
“And now, with Sir Michael’s help, it has come to fruition, which is also thanks to the diligent work of Davie Reid.”
The latter and his colleague, Richard Smith, took part in a gruelling Arctic Return expedition last year, where they followed in Rae’s footsteps.
Upon their return, the intrepid pair revealed that a part of the Arctic now has a special link with the Scottish islands after they carried flags, designed by schoolchildren at Stromness Primary and St Margaret’s Hope Primary on Orkney, to the end of their epic journey at Point de la Guiche.
Mr Appleby revealed the scouts will receive their new badges later this year.
He added: “When the lockdown from the virus is over, the society will arrange for special awards to be made.”
Further information is available at www.johnraesociety.com
