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Concrete map of Scotland given B-listed status

September 17 2012

Concrete map of Scotland given B-listed status
A huge 3 dimensional map of Scotland in the grounds of Barony Castle Hotel, Peebles, has been awarded B-listed status by Historic Scotland.

The heritage quango acknowledged the ‘Great polish map of Scotland’ as being the largest topographical relief model in the UK, making a significant contribution to the countries built heritage.

Built by a group of Polish nationals in 1974 the piece was designed to thank Scots for their hospitality to Polish soldiers during WW2 and to commemorate the war effort of expatriate Poles at that time.

Stretching to some 50m in length and 1.5m deep the work at one time held pools of water recreating rivers, lochs and seas on a scale of 1:10,000.

Cabinet secretary for culture and external affairs Fiona Hyslop said: “This remarkable map of Scotland recalls the sacrifices of our Polish Allies, and I am delighted it will now be protected and secured for future generations through the awarding of listed status.

“I am hopeful that listed status will raise the profile of the Map, and attract the increased numbers of visitors which this remarkable structure rightly deserves.”

Barony castle served as a college for Polish army officers during the war and was owned by war veteran Jan Tomasik, originator of the map concept, between 1969-77.

A campaign is currently underway to restore the map to its original condition under the auspices of Mapa Scotland.

4 Comments

Ray Davis
#1 Posted by Ray Davis on 18 Sep 2012 at 12:12 PM
What happened to orkney and shetland or are they British and not Scottish !!!
Roger Kelly
#2 Posted by Roger Kelly on 18 Sep 2012 at 13:52 PM
Good question. I believe there was an early intention to include the Northern Isles or add them later, but there wasn't the energy, site area and water capacity to do it comfortably at the time. I have written more about the creation of the Map at www.makers.org.uk/mapascotland/milestones
boaby wan
#3 Posted by boaby wan on 18 Sep 2012 at 16:26 PM
this thing looks great, I've never seen or heard of it before - can you just rock up for a nosey?
David Blaikie
#4 Posted by David Blaikie on 18 Sep 2012 at 17:58 PM
Fantastic...you can see it from space...well Google Maps - https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=barony+castle&hl=en&ll=55.712365,-3.216205&spn=0.002523,0.006968&sll=47.73855,12.508828&sspn=49.438597,114.169922&t=h&hq=barony+castle&z=18

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