Big Yin's Arctic role welcomed

Published on Thursday 26 February 2009 22:12

A CALL by Billy Connolly for recognition of a "forgotten" Orkney explorer has won praise in the islands.

The comedian is following in the footsteps of Dr John Rae inside the Arctic Circle for a television programme.

In the show and accompanying book Journey to the Edge of the World, Connolly said that Rae should be honoured for his part in the discovery of the Northwest Passage and that it was a "crime" that Sir John Franklin, an English naval officer, was credited with discovering the route that links the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.

Rae is seen as an unsung hero of Orkney. But a campaign to denounce Rae was waged by Lady Franklin and others including Charles Dickens, after he claimed some of Franklin's crew resorted to cannibalism after becoming stranded.

Stephen Hagan, the convener of Orkney Islands Council, has written to thank Connolly.

He said: "I am writing on behalf of the people of Orkney to express our appreciation for the interest you have shown in the rather sad history of Dr John Rae, one of the greatest figures in the history of these islands."