NT2347 : The Great Polish Map of Scotland
taken 11 years ago, near to Eddleston, Scottish Borders, Scotland
A relief map of Scotland built in the grounds of Barony Castle Hotel at Eddleston. After WWII many Polish soldiers found it difficult to return home and many remained in Britain. One who stayed in Scotland was the Commander, General Maczek. After the war, the Barony Hotel was bought by of one of his former soldiers, Jan Tomasik, and together they decided to create a great Map of Scotland in memory of the hospitality of its people and Poland’s part in its defence, on the site of the tactical map they had once made on the old putting green. It was built in a few weeks in 1975 by a small team of young Polish geographers. After Jan Tomasik’s death the hotel changed hands and the Great Polish Map fell into decay. It was cleaned up and stabilised by the hotel staff, but restoration to its original glory seemed unlikely, but in 2008 a team of volunteers drew up proposals for its restoration. Some initial clearing work has been done, there is the possibility of Lottery Funding and negotiations for a lease on the site are almost complete [summer 2013]. It is hoped eventually that the sea and lochs will also be restored. It shows up well on Google Earth.