General Maczek's Map

We all come across unusual things occasionally, and I'm no exception, but I think this is definitely in the unusual category. I can do no better than offer here this object's own explanation.

"General Maczek's Great Polish Map of Scotland

After the fall of France in 1940, Polish forces - whose own country had been overrun by the combined weight of Hitler and Stalin - made their way to Scotland. The British Government welcomed the extra troops and all over Scotland hotels and mansions were taken over to accommodate them. The Barony Castle (near Eddleston in the Borders) became an Army Headquarters and later Staff College. Tactics were planned on a large outdoor map created on the putting green. The Polish troops successfully protected Scotland's coasts, Polish Navy and Air Forces defended our waters and skies and Polish doctors and nurses helped keep Scotland's emergency medical services going.

By the end of the war it was far from easy for Poles to return home safely and many like General Maczek chose to stay in Scotland. When the Barony became a hotel again, owned by one of his former soldiers Jan Tomasik, the two 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 once made on the old putting green.

A small team of Polish geographers built the present map in a few weeks in 1975."

As you can see, it takes the form of a giant topographical map of Scotland, with a raised viewing point. It is in poor repair, but steps are in hand to address that.