Torness team leand a hand

The Torness volunteers at The Great Polish Map of Scotland. They are, left to right: Shaun Thomson, Sean Armstrong, Steve McDougal, Blair Hamilton, Ross McKenzie, Alastair Muir, Stephany Chisholm, Cal Wilson, John Withers and Liam McNeil.

This is part of a scheme within EDF Energy called ‘Helping Hands’ which allows staff to take two paid days off a year to help out in the local community or for an environmental cause.

The Great Polish Map of Scotland is a large (50m x 40m) three-dimensional, outdoor concrete scale model of Scotland located in the grounds of the Barony Castle Hotel, outside the village of Eddleston near Peebles - once the home of the Murrays of Elibank, and later Hotel Black Barony.

It is also known as the Mapa Scotland - derived from Polish ‘mapa Szkocji’ or the Barony Map.

The brainchild of Polish war veteran Jan Tomasik, it was built between 1974 and 1979 and is claimed to be the world’s largest terrain relief model.

The Torness team travelled down to Barony Castle and delivered a superb effort to prepare and apply two and a half tonnes of foundation concrete to the Isle of Skye and North Uist.

Ross McKenzie, one of those who helped with the work, said: “Everyone enjoyed the day and recognised how unique and unusual the Great Polish Map of Scotland is.”

Keith Burns, Map of Scotland volunteer, added: “The sculpture is a category B listed building and we have been looking for assistance with concrete mixing for foundation laying and topography sculpting of the mountains.

“The team set a new  daily record for concrete pour and made a great impact on our summer campaign targets.”