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Seòmar agus comataidhean

The Trails of Hope Exhibition and Polish Contributions to Clydebank

  • Submitted by: Annie Wells, Glasgow, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
  • Date lodged: Tuesday, 17 March 2026
  • Motion type: Standard Motion
  • Motion reference: S6M-21142

That the Parliament welcomes the ceremonial opening on 13 March 2026 of the exhibition, Trails of Hope: The Odyssey of Freedom, at the Parliament, which was prepared by the Institute of National Remembrance and attended by government representatives, diplomats, military officers and members of the Polish-Scottish community; acknowledges that the exhibition presented the dramatic journey of Polish soldiers and civilians who, after leaving Soviet captivity with the army of Wladyslaw Anders, travelled across Central Asia and the Middle East to continue the fight for the freedom of Europe during the Second World War; recognises that the exhibition commemorated the courage of the people of Clydebank and the bravery of Polish sailors, including the crew of ORP Piorun, who engaged German Luftwaffe bombardments during the Clydebank Blitz of 13–14 March 1941, providing an organised defence of the town and its shipyards; acknowledges that this act is remembered as a symbol of Polish-Scottish solidarity; recognises the role of the Polish Sue Association in Great Britain in coordinating the 85th anniversary commemorations across Edinburgh, Glasgow and Clydebank, including ceremonies at Dalbeth Cemetery and the Trails of Hope exhibition; notes that Polish Sue was established in 2016 in memory of Lady Ryder of Warsaw and that it was awarded the title, the Ambassador of Polish History, by the Institute of National Remembrance in 2024 for its work promoting Polish historical memory abroad; acknowledges the association’s contribution to community engagement, organisational and media support, and its strengthening of connections between the Polish diaspora and Scottish institutions, and commends all involved in delivering the exhibition and commemorative programme, which preserve and celebrate the shared history, courage and enduring friendship between Scotland and Poland.


Supported by: Miles Briggs, Alexander Burnett, Tim Eagle, Annabelle Ewing, Russell Findlay, Meghan Gallacher, Kenneth Gibson, Dr Pam Gosal MBE, Dr Sandesh Gulhane, Bill Kidd, Douglas Lumsden, Stuart McMillan, Edward Mountain, Douglas Ross, Paul Sweeney, Evelyn Tweed