The Story Behind the Stay: The Lockhart Library

Welcome to The Story Behind the Stay, where we take a closer look at the rooms of the Hope Scott Wing.

The Hope Scott Wing offers five-star, self-catering accommodation, bookable through our Stay at Abbotsford website. However, before it became a space for modern stays, the wing had already lived a rich and fascinating history. 

Today, we step inside The Lockhart Library.

The room was later laid out as a library for John Gibson Lockhart, literary figure, editor of the Quarterly Review, and Scott’s son-in-law through his marriage to Sophia Scott.

After Sophia’s passing, Lockhart outlived her by seventeen years. When his daughter Charlotte inherited Abbotsford in 1847, he came to live here, remaining until he passed away in 1854.

Though it may appear at first to be a William Morris design, the wallpaper is actually Sanderson & Morris’ “Brer Rabbit”.  This detail adds Victorian character without quite being what you expect.

Much of the furniture is original to the family and dates from the Victorian period, with the rich velvet sofa being a more recent addition. The Major General’s roll-top pedestal desk stands as an imposing centrepiece, while photographs and personal objects add layers of memory to the space.

Sir Wattie

Among the most striking of the objects is a bronze horse’s head, instantly recognisable to those who knew the later generations of the family. It represents Sir Wattie, owned by Dame Jean. In his prime, Sir Wattie was considered one of the best three-day event horses in the world, bringing home two silver medals from the 1988 Seoul Olympic Games.

His rider, Ian Stark, once said of him: “He was irritating beyond belief… either useless or brilliant. There was something special about him even then.”

Ian’s own story is deeply tied to Abbotsford’s community. A local Gala lad, he began riding at just ten years old and was encouraged early on by the Scott family, who recognised his talent and supported his path into what became a remarkable equestrian career. He went on to win multiple Olympic and World Championship medals for the British eventing team. Today, the Ian Stark Equestrian Centre at Greenhill Farm near Selkirk stands as a testament to that journey, one in which Sir Wattie played a defining role.

To stay surrounded by stories like these, visit our Stay website