MIDLOTHIAN South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale MSP Christine Grahame will lead a debate in Parliament tomorrow to discuss the significance of The Great Polish Map of Scotland, which is situated in the village of Eddleston.

The debate will be simultaneously translated into Polish and broadcast in both English and Polish, which is a first for the Scottish Parliament. The Parliamentary motion also appears in Polish on the Parliament's Business Bulletin.

The map relates to the actions of Polish soldiers during World War ll and the bonds that continue between Scots and Poles today.

Ms Grahame said: "The map was designed and built as a labour of love by a group of young Polish geographers from the Jagellionian University of Krakow in 1975 at the request of General Maczek, former Polish wartime Commander of the 1st Armoured Division, and the war veteran, Jan Tomasik.

"It commemorates the vital role of Polish forces in the defence of Scotland in the Second World War and is a token of thanks to the people of Scotland for the hospitality and friendship given to the Polish people, not only during the war years but in the decades that followed." The debate will be attended by the Polish Consul with a reception afterwards where plans for restoration of the map will be on show.

Ms Grahame added: "There are estimated to be over 60,000 Polish people in Scotland so the restoration of the map would help to secure the bond between our two nations. I am delighted to be leading the debate to support the efforts of Mapa Scotland, who I would congratulate on obtaining listed status for the map earlier this wee. They are a voluntary group established to protect and restore this unique three dimensional representation, reminding Scots of the historical heritage linking Poland with Scotland"