AN ambitious project to create the first major Scottish atlas for more than a century has reached its crowdfunding target within just four days of being featured exclusively in The National.
Creator Andrew Barr said he was “delighted” that his Atlas of Scotland had reached its £12,000 target so quickly.
The project received over 50% of its target within 24 hours of the story being published.
The book will be Barr’s third, following on from last year’s The Illustrated Declaration of Arbroath and 2016’s Summer of Independence.
Produced as a striking hardback book, combining text with illustrated maps, the atlas will shed new light on Scotland’s size and resources, its cultural and political history, as well as its standing as one of the ancient kingdoms of Europe.
The artist’s latest project will be a return to “map-making in pen and ink”, aiming “to show today’s modern Scotland with clarity and detail”.
READ MORE: How this ambitious new project will literally put Scotland on the map
The first full Atlas of Scotland didn’t emerge until 1654, with the work of the Dutch cartographer Joan Blaeu.
The opening words of Blaeu’s Scottish atlas, first printed in Amsterdam, said: “Look now on Scotland, which hitherto shadows have enveloped, lit and gleaming with a clear light, in all of its parts.” Barr said he would be “taking inspiration from Blaeu’s centuries-old vision”.
Speaking to The National yesterday, Barr said: “I'd like to say a huge thank you to readers of The National and everyone who has contributed towards the project.
"I can't wait to share the finished Atlas with you all in 2021.
SUPPORT THE ATLAS OF SCOTLAND PROJECT
"The crowdfunder will remain open for another 50 days, and any extra support would still be hugely appreciated.
“The more money is raised, the bigger and better the Atlas of Scotland will be,” he went on.
“By donating to the fundraising campaign at AndrewRBarr.com supporters can still sign up for a number of rewards, including finished hardback copies of the atlas, map prints and more.
"Thank you again to everyone who has supported the project.
"It will make a huge difference and I'm looking forward to sharing more of the work-in-progress as the atlas gets underway."
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel