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."