Regular readers will know that we have a propensity for trying to find things we have read about, Raratongan princesses, Gartmore moon dials and the like. Today it is big concrete maps of Scotland. We came across some scrappy details of this thing several months back but had never managed to get round to actually finding it. What we did know was that the weather would have to be kind if we were to get detailed pictures. Today was one of these days, cloudless skies, no wind. Ideal for taking pictures of big concrete maps.

Weather

We had established that it lay in the grounds of this hotel in Eddleston. However we had not taken account of the fact that in the thirty odd miles it took us to get there the world would be transformed into a winter wonderland. Three inches of snow covering everything! When we left home there was no snow whatsoever. Best laid plans etc etc. Detailed pictures were obviously out of the question, but at least we found it … and it was quite something.

A little history. In 1942 the hotel building was requisitioned as a training college for the Polish forces based here to protect the east coast of Scotland from German invasion. In 1968, one of the former soldiers, Jan Tomasi, ended up buying it and for reasons that are not entirely clear, in the mid 70s, set about building this concrete relief map in the grounds. Now known as the ‘Great Polish Map of Scotland‘ or Mapa Scotland.

It was built exactly to scale so that when the seas were filled with water the lochs etc would also fill. At the moment it is being restored by Historic Scotland. As well as being covered in snow it didn’t have any water either .. great!

Imagination

With a little imagination however it is not hard to see that, when fully restored, it will be rather special. All well and good but, having completed a lap of the country, scone time was fast approaching so we headed off back towards the hotel. Feeling frustrated by the lack of good pictures but quite pleased at having found the object of our expedition.

The hotel building dates back to 1666 and is  now part of the Mercure Group. It has a slightly foreboding  welcome sign above the entrance. On the other hand, if He is actually here, would the baking be devine … exciting! Our scones were nicely presented with lots of jam, butter and cream. Unfortunately, however, the presentation turned out to be the only good thing about them. The cream was of the scooshie variety which very quickly dissolved into an insipid white liquid. The scones, meanwhile, although looking good, had been fashioned in the same way as the Great Map, from concrete. Definitely the worst scones we have had in a very very long time. If God had a hand in their preparation he was definitely trying to tell us something. 

When it came to paying our bill, we suggested that, if they had any more of these scones, they should put them in the bin. Much to our embarrassment they took them off the bill. Embarrassment, because there wasn’t a trace of the scones left, we ate the lot. Such was our appetite after tramping all the way round Scotland in the snow!

Fit for purpose?

Embarrassment is obviously not something felt at Westminster, though goodness knows why not!  For the first time ever in the three hundred odd years of the Parliament of Great Britain all Scottish MPs were banned from voting. The Parliament of Great Britain is now a very different place. The unelected House of Lords was also at it trying to rewrite the Act of Union. Presumably in an attempt to save it. The fact that they are even thinking about it is tantamount to an admission that the Union is no longer fit for purpose.

The 1707 Act of Union was gained through bribery, threats and the support of a tiny minority of Scots. The rest being vehemently opposed. It will be interesting to see what concoction they come up with this time in this wonderful democracy of ours. Whatever it is ’embarrassment’ will not be making an appearance. When it gets to the stage that both the Parliament of Great Britain and the Union is seen as broken perhaps the best course of action would be to just ditch both. Hard though that may be .. it probably wouldn’t be as hard as a Barony scone!

EH45 8QW     tel: 01721 730395     Barony Castle Hotel