Rea was born on the island of  Yell. After spending her younger years in Aberdeen and Edinburgh she moved to Whalsay in 1971 with her husband  Bobby and daughter Fiona. As well as singing at concerts and weddings in duo with her friend Thora Rognaldson (pictured here on Rea’s left), Rea taught piano at the Symbister school. In 1980 the family moved to South Nesting. Sadly Rea died while this website was being completed.

Our thanks go to Bobby McLeod for providing these notes and the photograph which shows them dressed for a local concert.