There are, in fact, many strong historic bonds between the two countries. Several cities in Scotland are also twinned with counterparts in Poland, for example Krakow and Edinburgh, Bydgoszcz and Perth, Opole and Inverness, Lublin and Falkirk.

Today, these historic bonds are growing even stronger. Polish bars, delicatessens and restaurants have opened in many cities since 2004 and are often a focus for the vibrant Polish community in Scotland. There are also many clubs and societies such as the Sikorski Polish Club in Glasgow and the Scottish Polish Cultural Association in Edinburgh.

The Scottish Executive is being proactive in building ties between the two countries. In June 2006, Tom McCabe, Minister with responsibility for international affairs, visited Poland to launch a Polish information guide, which is packed with essential advice on living, working and studying in Scotland. It also contains contact details for the Polish community here in Scotland. Written in consultation with the Polish Consul-General in Scotland, you can find it online at www.szkocja.eu and www.scotlandistheplace.com. In Poland, copies are available at the British Embassy, the British Council Offices and libraries.

The Scottish Executive is also supporting Polish graduates on an ongoing basis by hosting students from the elite Polish National School for Public Administration. They have already hosted students over the last two years and six new students started their internships in Scotland in October 2006.

Many Poles are already making a real impact in Scotland. A university professor, Anna Dominczak, who left Poland in 1982, has made such an important contribution to Scotland, that she has won the prestigious accolade of Scotswoman of the Year for her pioneering research into heart disease at the University of Glasgow.

Many may be surprised to know that past migrations have been mostly West to East, with Scots moving in droves to Poland. The Caledonian Society in Warsaw is one of the largest in the world. At the opening event in 1996, one brave man endured -20°C gales blowing up his kilt, while giving a warm welcome to guests outside the British Embassy. British Airways helped by flying in 50lbs of haggis and a Highland Dance Band complete with dancer. In 2006, Tom McCabe was Guest of Honour at the Society’s packed annual Ceilidh with 400 guests.

Historic links between Scotland and Poland can be traced back as far as the late Medieval period, when Scottish knights joined Teutonic knights on their Baltic Crusade.

For a time during the 17th century, Poland was the new America. Attracted by religious freedom and commercial opportunities, 40,000 enterprising Scots travelled over, including mercenaries who wanted to join Poland’s cavalry-dominated army as foot soldiers. Integration into Polish society was extensive. A Scot, Alexander Chalmer of Aberdeen, served four terms as mayor of Warsaw. Robert Gordon (1665-1731) made his fortune as a merchant in Gdansk and then established the institution that became the Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen.

The second major emigration took place in the 19th Century at the invitation of Polish nobility, when many Scottish engineers, farmers and craftsmen moved over.

World War II was a time of very close connection, resulting in the establishment of the Polish Consulate in Scotland in 1946. Poland lost over 6 million citizens during the war, half of them Polish Jews. Poland also made the 4th largest Allied troop contribution. In 1940, the exiled Polish armed forces re-formed in exile under General Sikorski at Perth. Evacuated from France, they protected many of Scotland’s coastal defences. Around 50,000 servicemen were based here and, after the war, 10,000 decided to stay and settle.

In March 1941, the Polish destroyer Piorun saved John Brown’s shipyard by putting up heavy anti-aircraft fire. Today, the Solidarity Plaza in Clydebank honours this achievement. You can find out more about the Polish Armed Forces in Scotland at www.ostrycharz.free-online.co.uk.

Of all the historical connections, the most intriguing is probably Bonnie Prince Charlie. Reading the facts about his mother, a Polish Princess, we see how much of Europe (France, Italy and Poland) supported the Jacobites . . . and how the marriage that produced the Prince nearly did not take place.

Prince James Stuart was known as The Old Pretender because of his claim to the throne of Scotland, England, Wales and Ireland. His engagement to Maria Clementina Sobeskia, one of Europe’s wealthiest heiresses, was a challenge to the British throne. The Austrian Emperor arrested Princess Maria as she travelled to Italy for her wedding and imprisoned her at Innsbruck Castle. She eventually deceived the guards and escaped to Bologna, Italy, where, just to be safe, she married James, who was away in Spain, by proxy. They came together and were formally married in 1719 in Italy. Pope Clement XI named them the Catholic King and Queen of Britain and invited them to live in Rome, gave them 12,000 crowns a year, papal troops, a residence in Rome and a country villa. Charles Stuart was born on December 31st, 1720. Sadly, James and Maria had a turbulent and unhappy marriage and she retreated to a convent and died in 1735. She was interred with full honours at the Basilica in Rome, complete with a Bracchi monument to her memory, before her son went on to stake his claim in Scotland in 1745.

Given this history, it’s especially appropriate that St Andrew’s Day is also celebrated in Poland. It’s also very apt that St Andrew’s Eve, Andrzejki in Polish, is a time when single girls use a series of games to guess the identity of their future husbands (just like in Scotland!). It’s a time of fun fortune-telling, involving throwing shoes towards a door; pouring hot wax into cold water and ‘reading’ the shape; and listening out for dogs barking . . .as this will be in the same direction as their betrothed. Find out more about the games they use.

This St Andrew’s Day in Scotland, there’s a special emphasis upon, ‘One Scotland, many cultures’, with everyone – especially new friends from overseas – welcome to the many free events around the country. There are free ceilidhs in Edinburgh’s Lawnmarket and The Hub, a ceilidh on ice in Glasgow’s George Square and open-air dancing and music in Stirling and Inverness.

It’s plain to see that migration, between Poland and Scotland, is nothing new. Both countries have been enriched and enhanced by their cultural diversity.

Further Information:

Courtesy of Scotland.org .

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