WATCH: Nairn Museum shares “hidden treasure” as they hope to save Polish soldiers’ attic artwork
Nairn Museum is calling for the “urgent“preservation of “hidden treasure” in its attic.
The top floor of the venue houses “graffiti” drawings by Polish soldiers created when they were stationed at Viewfield House during World War II.
Although the museum has known of the presence of these works - which include a portrait of a woman, a tile-like flower decoration and a rabbit in a bar - the worsening state of the attic has prompted fears that they may be lost.
The museum’s new administrator, Annie MacDonald, shared a sneak peek on the work on social media, and said: “It’s really fascinating. It’s a really important part of Nairn’s history, and the town’s international history as well.
“There’s not much research done on the Polish soldiers who were stationed in the north of Scotland.
“It’s quite poignant to see that people have been before. It gives continuity and a sense of belonging.”
Poland’s government-in-exile during the war first set up in France before moving its base to London, with the vast majority of Polish soldiers sent to live in Scotland.
On the Moray Coast there are still the remains of concrete tank defences which the Polish Army Engineer Corps helped build, Polish soldiers also contributing to campaigns such the Battle of Britain and the D-Day landings.
Ms MacDonald said: “By the summer of 1945, at the end of the Second World War, approximately 1000 Poles were stationed in Nairn. They were in to Nairn to support the harvests after the end of the war, and government schemes were briefly enacted to allow the Polish soldiers to collect their military salary whilst working on farms.
“Scotland had lost so many lives, and it needed help rebuilding itself.
“Viewfield House was one of the bases for the Polish troops in Nairn, but unfortunately there are very few traces of their presence in Nairn. The soldiers integrated well into Nairn, with friendly football matches against the locals and an active choir.”
She added that, after putting up the short video on social media, Nairn Museum has received messages from members of the Polish community in the Highlands asking how they can support the preservation of the graffiti art.
“We would welcome any photographs or memories of the Polish soldiers in the area during the Second World War,” she said.
“The graffiti tells a story of shared history across cultures, an international effort during the Second World War, and the ability to find light in the darkest of times.”
Nairn Museum leases Viewfield House from Highland Council as the building is part of Nairn’s Common Good.
Ms MacDonald added: “We are currently seeking conservation advice on how to preserve this graffiti.
“They are painted directly onto lath and plaster, which means that the plaster is coated on strips of wood. To remove it from the wall, we would need to cut both the wood and plaster itself, which would need to be an exceptionally delicate operation.
“However, with imminent work to be undertaken on the roof, taking no action would mean that we could potentially lose these drawings forever. They have already been damaged by former roof works.
“It feels really urgent that we try to save them for people who are interested in the story of a people who were in exile from their homeland and sought refuge in Scotland “
