The map was the brainchild of Jan Tomasik, a sergeant in the 1st (Polish) Armoured Division, who had been stationed in Galashiels and had married a Scottish nurse in 1942. He became a successful hotelier in Edinburgh after the war and added Black Barony to his properties in 1968 and is thought to have stated, “I shall die, but I shall leave my map as a gift to the Scottish people to thank them for the hospitality they showed the Poles when it was needed”. After the hotel closed in 1985 and ownership of Barony Castle passed from the Tomasik family, the map fell gradually into neglect and disrepair until in 2010 Mapa Scotland was formed, a group of volunteers dedicated to saving it from further decay and restoring it to its former condition. http://www.mapascotland.org/home/

Category B-listed status was secured for the map in 2012 and in 2013 charitable status was given with the main aims to ensure that it becomes a permanent feature in the Borders landscape and an educational resource and visitor attraction for future generations to admire and enjoy. The map’s construction, and its restoration, have linked Scots and Poles for almost three generations. A grand opening ceremony and reception was held on April 12th 2018.

Mapa Scotland now enters a new phase of care, maintenance and further improvement.  Much has been achieved over the years and in 2022 a film and book were commissioned about the origins of the map and its restoration. Copies of the book will be gifted to local schools. Filming took place in June 2021 and involved the participation of local primary schools. The film, ebook and sponsors of these projects are found on the Mapa website www.mapascotland.org

Mapa Scotland – the future

In June 2023 the lease granted by the Barony Castle Hotel to Mapa Scotland in 2013 for the restoration of The Great Polish Map of Scotland expired. Our restoration objectives were completed in 2018, the 100th anniversary of Polish independence.

Our charity, Mapa Scotland, no longer has the physical resource to maintain the map. That responsibility now lies with the owners, Barony Castle LLP.

Mapa Scotland will continue with its broad educational and historical objectives, to which our existing and future revenues will be devoted. This will cover all endeavours (including The Great Polish Map) to preserve the historic and cultural links between Poland and Scotland. Leaflets will continue to be distributed. Your generous donations will continue to serve our educational and cultural objectives.

The Trustees, Mapa Scotland SCIO www.mapascotland.org