US supporters

Through the power of his imagination and the magic of his pen, Walter Scott championed the history and landscapes of Scotland in a string of best-selling books that dominated the 19th century.

Abbotsford, Scott’s home in the Scottish Borders, was his conundrum castle, a place where fact and fiction collide.

Housing Scott’s world-famous library and historical collection, Abbotsford was an architectural trendsetter that inspired buildings around the world. The historical objects he surrounded himself with directly inspired the poetry and novels that catapulted him to stardom, branding him the father of the historical novel. Works such as Rob Roy, Ivanhoe and The Lady of the Lake have fired the imagination of generations of readers.

Scott was also a key figure in the cultural history of a nation. His hand was behind those symbols of Scotland we still hold dear; he rekindled the Scottish tradition of wearing tartan, helped legalise whisky, and rediscovered his country’s Crown Jewels. 

His novels romanticised Scotland and attracted tourists in droves. His words and phrases have become embedded in our language, a contribution outmatched only by the Bible and the plays of William Shakespeare.

In North America, Scott would become its most published author between 1815-1840 and his books represented a lost homeland for generations of Americans with Scottish heritage. Abbotsford itself has played host to a roll-call of famous American visitors over the last 200 years. The author Washington Irving visited the house and stayed with Walter Scott in 1816. The writers Nathaniel Hawthorne, Mark Twain, Herman Melville, and Harriet Beecher-Stowe all made their pilgrimage, as did American military generals and the eighteenth President of the United States, Ulysses S. Grant. Scott’s ‘Hail to the Chief’ is played to welcome every US president. Scott’s home, estate and astonishing power for storytelling continues to delight and inspire our friends from America to this day, evoking the spirit of one of Scotland’s most famous sons.

Help support Abbotsford

The Abbotsford Trust is an independent Scottish charity and as well as looking Scott’s home and estate, the Trust safeguards his globally important collections of more than 9,000 books and 4,000 objects. Today, Abbotsford is not only one of Scotland most significant historical and cultural icons, but also a community linchpin for volunteering and learning.

There are many different ways that supporters in the United States can support The Abbotsford Trust and shares the stories of Sir Walter Scott.

• Join Scott’s Abbotsford Circle USA 
• Donate
• Leave a gift in your will

Join Scott’s Abbotsford Circle USA

Join as a member of Scott’s Abbotsford Circle and help safeguard Abbotsford for ever

Sir Walter Scott is known across the world for his literary works and is celebrated for the impact he made upon our understanding of the past, and the ways in which our identities are shaped by landscapes and our cultural heritage. He spent a lifetime devoted to collecting and sharing stories from the past so we could learn from them. However Scott was squarely focussed on the future too. Few realise that the inspiration and reward for his writing often hinged upon time spent in the woodlands around his home, banishing the ‘mulligrubs’ of his depression. He planted more than half of his once-barren estate with trees. It is in this pioneering spirit – planting the seeds for future generations – that we established the Scott’s Abbotsford Circle.

By making a substantial annual donation Circle members have the opportunity to continue Scott’s vision for many years to come by supporting The Abbotsford Trust’s charitable work in the fields of conservation, curation, and learning.

“Over the years we have gained so much from our connection with The Abbotsford Trust and Walter Scott’s amazing home, gardens and collections. It is very important to us to contribute towards safeguarding the special place that is Abbotsford as a resource for future generations.”

Lord and Lady Sanderson, founding members of Scott’s Abbotsford Circle

As a valued supporter of Scott’s Abbotsford Circle, keeping you informed of the impact of your donation is of great importance to us. This means that you will receive The Abbotsford Trust Review newsletter at least twice a year and have opportunities to hear directly from our Chief Executive, Chair and Curator about how your support makes a difference to get to know the areas of Abbotsford’s work that most interest you. You will be part of the inspirational and creative network of people dedicated to promoting Abbotsford and the story of Scott’s life and works. Your annual philanthropic gifts enable Abbotsford to achieve our ambitious goals supporting the conservation of iitems within our care alongside transformational education and engagement programmes in the community.

Scott’s Abbotsford Circle is an annual giving membership programme that supports the work of The Abbotsford Trust. Potential members are invited to give an unrestricted donation of at least $4,000 to join the Circle. Download the Scott's Abbotsford Circle USA Leaflet for information and then complete the Scott's Abbotsford Circle USA Application Form. For more information about Scott’s Abbotsford Circle contact Sheena Stone, Abbotsford Development Manager.

We are always excited to meet Abbotsford’s supporters in person, so Circle members are invited to get in touch with the Development Manager should you be visiting Scotland.

Donate to support the work of The Abbotsford Trust

Abbotsford receives no more government funding and relies on the financial support of our friends to safeguard Scott’s legacy. You can support the charity in a number of ways including supporting one of our current campaigns.

The Bicentenary Conservation Fund is Abbotsford’s current appeal to raise funds for the conservation and maintenance work required to safeguard Abbotsford’s building and collections. Costing some $180,000 a year, by donating to this fund you will be helping to safeguard Abbotsford for future generations.

How you can donate to Abbotsford

The Abbotsford Trust partners with the Chapel & York Foundation, a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organisation in the USA, which accepts US donations on Abbotsford’s behalf. Donations to the Foundation are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. You can donate by visiting: www.chapel-yorkusfoundation.org/donate/ and searching for ‘The Abbotsford Trust’. Or contact The Development Manager on fundraising@scottsabbotsford.co.uk to discuss a potential donation or to find out more about any aspect of Abbotsford’s work.

You can also find out more about Abbotsford by filling in the contact form here Abbotsford US Supporters Leaflet.

Chapel & York US Foundation, Inc 1350 Avenue Of The Americas,

Floor 2, Suite 266,

New York, NY,

10019-4703