Estate & House News

Government rejects housing development overlooking Abbotsford

16 August 2023

The Abbotsford Trust is delighted to report that the Scottish Government have overturned the recommendation to build 45 houses on land overlooking Scott’s historic Abbotsford house and estate.  
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Thriving at Abbotsford

16 August 2023

Volunteers, staff and local people recently marked the end of the THRIVE community engagement project at Abbotsford, the home of Sir Walter Scott, near Melrose.
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The EVOLVE Volunteering Project

28 April 2023

The Abbotsford Trust launched the EVOLVE project in summer 2022 with an aim to offer volunteering opportunities to young people from the local community.
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Parking System Changes

19 January 2023

The car parking system is changing at Abbotsford, the home of Sir Walter Scott, near Melrose after the contract with our current car park management provider is ended.
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Winter Opening Hours

14 December 2022

Abbotsford's opening dates and times over January and February.
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HM The Queen 1926- 2022

09 September 2022

The Abbotsford Trust’s trustees, staff and volunteers are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Her Majesty the Queen.
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Mental Health and Wellbeing THRIVES at Abbotsford

08 April 2022

A new pilot project at Abbotsford is supporting local people who have been affected by the pandemic.
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Abbotsford to Introduce Car Park Charges

10 March 2022

Abbotsford will be introducing modest car parking charges this Autumn to help cope with financial losses after the Covid pandemic.
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Saved for the Nation: Scottish Institutions Celebrate Appeal Success

16 December 2021

The Scottish members of a consortium set up to save a unique collection of literature for the nation have welcomed the news that its international appeal has reached its target of £15 million.
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Abbotsford extends season to celebrate Christmas in Sir Walter Scott’s 250th anniversary year

11 November 2021

One of the Scottish Borders’ most popular visitor attractions is extending its season into December for the second year running to celebrate the 250th anniversary of Sir Walter Scott.
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Book Now for Half Price Tickets to Abbotsford

08 November 2021

Thanks to Visit Scotland's Great Days Out in Scotland scheme we're offering 50% off entry to our House, Chapel and Gardens while offer lasts/
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Defibrillator Installed at Abbotsford after Friends' Campaign

30 September 2021

A defibrillator has been installed at Abbotsford, the home of Sir Walter Scott near Melrose, after a successful fundraising campaign led by the Friends of Abbotsford. 
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Help us restore the historic heart of Scott’s gardens

14 September 2021

To mark Sir Walter Scott’s 250th anniversary, we want to restore Scott’s Pavilion and Furnace House, and bring a fresh lease of life to one of Abbotsford’s most historically significant buildings.
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Sir Walter Scott anniversary helps Abbotsford

25 August 2021

The Abbotsford Trust, which manages the legacy of Sir Walter Scott and his 200-year-old estate in the Scottish Borders, has this week (Tuesday Aug 17th) announced its financial results for 2020. It shows a year in which trading revenues were significantly depressed due to Covid-19 restrictions, but with the immediate future secured by substantial grant support to see the Trust into early 2021 and the 250th anniversary year of Sir Walter Scott.
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ScottFest 2021: New Annual Festival Inspired by Legendary Scottish Author

13 July 2021

Scotland’s fascinating history, stimulating literature and vibrant culture will be celebrated every year with ScottFest, a major new annual festival inspired by the life and works of Sir Walter Scott.
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RUNNING THE LONDON MARATHON FOR ABBOTSFORD

14 June 2021

On Sunday 3rd October, 50,000 participants will take to the streets of London for the Virgin Money London Marathon. And for the first time ever one of those runners, John Fraser, will be raising money for The Abbotsford Trust.
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Stonemasons Get Roped In For Major Spring Spruce Up At Abbotsford

15 April 2021

Major maintenance work has been completed at Abbotsford, home of Sir Walter Scott near Melrose, in time to start celebrations for Scott’s 250th anniversary when the house re-opens to the public
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BAILLIE GIFFORD BORDERS BOOK FESTIVAL TO BE HOSTED AT ABBOTSFORD

09 April 2021

After a year of many forced changes due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Directors of The Baillie Gifford Borders Book Festival, have confirmed a further change of date and venue for this year’s book festival. Abbotsford House in the Scottish Borders, the home of Sir Walter Scott, will stage this year’s festival in its grounds as part of the 250th anniversary celebrations of the life and work of Scotland’s greatest writer.
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HELP SAVE OUR SKULL AND WIN

12 February 2021

Make a donation to help Save Our Skull and you could WIN a signed Scotland rugby shirt!
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HISTORIC HOUSE RE-OPENS FOR SCOTT’S BIRTHDAY

11 September 2020

Sir Walter Scott's historic home will re-open its doors on the famous author’s birthday, Saturday 15th August.
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LISTEN TO OUR AUDIO TOUR FREE

01 August 2020

While we work on getting the house ready for re-opening, you can enjoy listening to our audio tour for free and imagine yourself in our beautiful interiors.
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CREATE ABBOTSFORD ART WITH SKETCHING SCOTLAND

15 July 2020

We're delighted to be one of the destinations featured in Visit Scotland's Sketching Scotland campaign. Learn to draw Abbotsford with the video below and find out more about the campaign and it's tutorials covering iconic sights across Scotland
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NATIONAL LOTTERY GRANT HELPS ABBOTSFORD SURVIVE THE PANDEMIC

18 June 2020

A grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund’s Heritage Emergency Fund to the Abbotsford Trust will help to ensure that one of Scotland’s most significant cultural, architectural and historical icons survives the Coronavirus pandemic.
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SCOTT INSPIRES DURING LOCKDOWN

13 May 2020

A popular online course on Scottish legend Sir Walter Scott is being kept open and free until September in response to the Covid-19 crisis and the increased demand for armchair learning opportunities.
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ABBOTSFORD BUILDINGS & ESTATE NOW CLOSED

30 March 2020

Abbotsford’s historic buildings, café and Visitor Centre and its outdoor areas, including the car park, woodlands, riverside walks and playtrail, have been officially closed in line with Government guidance during the Covid-19 pandemic.
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SECOND CHANCE FOR ARMCHAIR EXPLORERS TO BE INSPIRED BY SIR WALTER SCOTT’S LEGACY

19 March 2020

Armchair explorers from the Borders and beyond can enjoy the re-run of a free online course exploring the life, work and legacy of one of Scotland's greatest literary figures, Sir Walter Scott.
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ABBOTSFORD STILL OPEN FOR VISITORS

17 March 2020

The Abbotsford estate, including the historic house, chapel & gardens, is still open to visitors.
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BRITAIN’S NEWEST SAINT CELEBRATED AT ABBOTSFORD

14 October 2019

The life of St John Henry Newman, Britain’s newest saint, and his links with the Scottish Borders are being celebrated at Abbotsford next month.
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VISITORS HELP CHARITY FINANCES

01 October 2019

An increase in visits and donations to Abbotsford in 2019 has helped the Abbotsford Trust improve its finances.
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NEW EXHIBITS AT ABBOTSFORD

12 July 2019

The drinking cup of the original Robinson Crusoe and a bridle used by Sir Walter Scott to ride his favourite pony are now on display at the author’s home, thanks to loans from National Museums Scotland.
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NEW EXHIBITS AT ABBOTSFORD FOR MARCH OPENING

22 April 2019

A wooden Jacobite quaich, a rare pack of 17th century playing cards, a slop bowl and a Persian charm are among a range of items added to the Sir Walter Scott exhibition, at Abbotsford, ready for the opening of the new season on Friday March 1.
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BAG THE BIG HOUSES IN THE SCOTTISH BORDERS

16 April 2019

To mark the release of a new updated illustrative map of the Big Houses in the Scottish Borders, a new ‘Bag the Big Houses’ scheme is being launched for visitors.
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HOLY RELICS SET TO BECOME STAR ATTRACTION AT ABBOTSFORD

14 April 2019

Vestments belonging to Cardinal John Henry Newman are set to become the unexpected star attraction at Abbotsford when the home of Sir Walter Scott reopens on Friday March 1, after the Pope gave final approval this week for the churchman’s canonisation.
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ACCESS TO ABBOTSFORD DURING MAINTENANCE WORKS ON GALAFOOT BRIDGE

04 April 2019

Due to Phase 2 of essential maintenance works being carried out at Galafoot Bridge for 12 weeks from Monday, 4th February, access to parts of Abbotsford is changing.
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ABBOTSFORD CELEBRATES PRESTIGIOUS VOLUNTEER AWARD

10 January 2019

The Abbotsford Trust, responsible for the legacy of Sir Walter Scott, is celebrating becoming the first historic house museum in Scotland to gain a prestigious national award for its volunteer programme.
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ICONIC PORTCULLIS GATE REINSTATED AT ABBOTSFORD

18 December 2018

The iconic entrance gate that secured Abbotsford, the home of Sir Walter Scott, has been reinstated, after a year-long absence for major conservation work.
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LAST CHANCE TO VIEW TRIO OF RARELY SEEN ARTWORKS

14 November 2018

Visitors to Abbotsford, the home of Sir Walter Scott between Melrose and Galashiels, have only a short time left to see three rarely seen watercolour paintings before they disappear back into private collections.
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SCOTT’S LEGACY INSPIRES COMMUNITY PROJECT

04 October 2018

A new community project to help people develop new life skills through gardening and outdoor activity is now underway at Abbotsford, the former home of Sir Walter Scott, between Galashiels and Melrose.
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EARLY CAFÉ CLOSURE ON 26TH SEPTEMBER

24 August 2018

Please note that Ochiltree's Café will close early on Wednesday 26th of September for a private event.
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EARLY CHAPEL CLOSURE ON 14TH SEPTEMBER

12 August 2018

Please note that the Hope Scott Chapel will close early on Friday 14th of September for a wedding.
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ACCESS TO ABBOTSFORD DURING GALAFOOT BRIDGE MAINTENANCE

03 August 2018

Due to essential maintenance being carried out at Galafoot Bridge for 10 weeks from Sunday, 5th August, access to parts of Abbotsford is changing.
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‘LOST’ TURNER WATERCOLOUR ON SHOW AT SIR WALTER SCOTT’S FORMER HOME

02 July 2018

A small painting is causing great excitement at Abbotsford, near Melrose, the former home of Sir Walter Scott, where it is on display as part of an exhibition this summer.
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TRAVEL ACCOLADE BOOSTS VOLUNTEERS WEEK CELEBRATIONS

04 June 2018

A place in TripAdvisor’s Hall of Fame has added an extra cause for celebration at Abbotsford during National Volunteers’ Week.
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BORDERS’ BIG HOUSES LAUNCH ONLINE HERITAGE TRAIL

24 May 2018

Eleven of the finest historic houses and castles in the Scottish Borders have joined forces to produce an online guide for heritage enthusiasts visiting and living in the area.
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NEW VISITOR PASS TO BOOST TOURISM TO MIDLOTHIAN AND THE SCOTTISH BORDERS

21 May 2018

A new visitor pass designed to drive tourism to Midlothian and the Scottish Borders has officially launched on Friday 18 May.
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EARLY CLOSURE ON 19TH MAY

19 May 2018

Please note that the house and gardens will close early on Saturday 19th of May for a wedding.
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TURNER’S 1831 VISIT TO THE BORDERS CELEBRATED IN NEW EXHIBITION

18 April 2018

Abbotsford, the home of Sir Walter Scott, is delighted to announce the opening of a new exhibition next week (Monday April 23rd) dedicated to the personal relationship between two of the most famous and influential figures in British history.
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WEALTH OF LOCAL SKILLS HELPS RESTORE HISTORIC BORDERS WOODLAND

29 March 2018

The experience and skills of Borders’ foresters, craftsmen and young people were brought together to achieve the successful restoration of a 200-year-old historic woodland at Abbotsford, the home of Sir Walter Scott.
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EASTER CELEBRATION OF £300,000 WOODLAND RESTORATION PROJECT

22 March 2018

A family day of fun-filled festivity is being held at Abbotsford, home of Sir Walter Scott, on Easter Sunday, to celebrate the completion of the estate’s £300,000 woodland restoration project - and families are invited to bring their dogs along too.
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