Great Polish Map of Scotland

The Great Polish Map of Scotland is a vast outdoor concrete model of the country, measuring 50 metres by 40 metres. It stands in the grounds of the Barony Castle Hotel near Eddleston in the Scottish Borders. The map shows Scotland’s mainland and major islands, with contours marked in brick courses. Vertical rods mark mountain peaks, their heights exaggerated five times for clarity. Water from a nearby stream fills the seas and lochs, creating a striking effect. The map was built between 1974 and 1979 by Polish cartographers led by Dr Kazimierz Trafas. The map was the idea of Jan Tomasik, a Polish war veteran who owned the hotel. He intended it as a tribute to the Polish forces who defended Scotland during the Second World War. Tomasik served under General Stanisław Maczek, a respected commander who later trained troops in the area. The map’s design drew inspiration from a Belgian model Tomasik saw in 1958. It was also influenced by a wartime outline of Poland made by soldiers in Lanarkshire. Tomasik saw it as a gift to the Scottish people for their wartime hospitality. Visitors find a striking terrain model surrounded by a water-filled basin. The surface shows forests, roads and towns in painted detail. A low wall encloses the oval basin, which is 1.5 metres deep. The map’s contours and exaggerated peaks make Scotland’s geography clear. The restored site now serves as a heritage monument and educational resource. Volunteers maintain the model, ensuring it remains a lasting tribute to Polish and Scottish history.