The Friends of the Orkney Boat Museum are appealing for widespread support when the cameras roll again next month to show what Orkney is doing to get behind the project.

It is hoped that Big Brother winner and patron of the friends group, Cameron Stout, will appear on the Restoration programme, perhaps even as Arctic explorer John Rae himself, to help raise the profile of the Orkney bid.

Orphir’s Hall of Clestrain and the boat museum plan will feature in this year’s BBC 2 Restoration television series, which chooses a project to receive millions of pounds in funding.

Viewers will vote for the property they want to win.

Chairman of the project committee, Hugh Halcro-Johnston, explained that the filming on June 1 is a follow-up to that which has already been done.

“It is particularly about the way in which the supporters of the project are raising funds and gaining support. We need a really good turnout so they get a feeling the community is behind the project.”

The four-strong film crew from London will be filming youngsters from primary six at Papdale Primary School, who have written letters of support for the project.

Interviews will be done throughout the day at the Hall of Clestrain and at 6pm the public are requested to come along to the hall – where John Rae was born.

“We want as many people as possible to come along to the Hall of Clestrain for 6pm. You will be able to see the hall, hear the story of John Rae, get a flavour of the boat museum and appear on television.

“It is a fundraising event as well to bring plenty of money with you!” he added.

While Orkney may be at a disadvantage purely because of a small population, it is hoped that the charms of Cameron Stout may be able to, again, implore a nation to vote for the project.

“He is an anchor man for our project,” Mr Halcro-Johnston said. “We do have some good assets; we have the sense of community and all come together which was demonstrated by Cameron. He attracted 2.2 million votes.” In the first round Orkney will compete with two other projects in the Scottish heat. There are seven regional heats.

The programme is due to be shown the week beginning Sunday, July 18, after which viewers will be given a telephone number to call and given three options. “We do not know which day yet the project is going out so keep an eye out for it,” Mr Halcro-Johnston said.

The first meeting of the Friends of the Orkney Boat Museum was due to go ahead at the town hall in Kirkwall last night at 7pm. Membership forms are available from Orkney Islands Council, Orkney Museum and Hugh Halcro-Johnston in Orphir.