Exhibition dedicated to Polish soldiers on display in Glenrothes

Gifted to Fife Council by the Kujawsko-Pomorskie region in central Poland, the exhibition Polish Paths to Freedom is dedicated to the 3000 officers and 10,000 Polish First Division Corps who were stationed in Scotland between 1940 and 1947. The soldiers provided support to Scottish regiments during the First World War, and are part of Fife’s rich history of migration.

The exhibition was officially opened by the Marshal of the Polish region, Piotr Całbecki.

He said: “Our shared history with Scotland dates back to the 16 and 17th centuries, when Scottish settlers were coming to Poland. A few hundred years later, Scotland became a place for Polish soldiers, tired and homeless after the first two years of war, offered them peace and rest. They were able to regain their strength, start training, and dream about fighting for their country.

“Fife became like a second home for our soldiers, and for that we’ll be always very grateful. I truly hope that this exhibition will be a way to thank all of the Scottish people who accepted and supported our troops.”

Gillian Parsons, from Fife Cultural Trust, said: “We’re grateful to the region for gifting this exhibition to the people of Scotland. I’m sure it will be of great interest to the general public who visit Rothes Halls, many of whom have connections with the Polish troops who were stationed in Fife during WW2.”