About this attraction
It is hard to overestimate the importance of Sir Walter Scott to Scottish culture and history. From his image on Scottish bank notes, the names of novels and literary characters taking pride of place on streets and buildings in Scotland, to the popularity of tartan as a symbol of Scottish national identity.
In many ways an unrecognized national treasure, his home in the Scottish Borders, Abbotsford, characterizes the man, innovative and somewhat quirky. The house was first opened to the public in 1833, five months after the death of Scott, whose works include the Waverley novels, Rob Ray and Ivanhoe. The library at Abbotsford contains over 9000 volumes, many of them extremely rare and priceless, and is intact as Scott collected them. The collections include many relics from Waterloo, and also Rob Roy’s broadsword, dirk, sporran purse and gun, to name but a few.
The gardens were designed by Sir Walter Scott, and are places of quiet and contemplation.
Abbotsford is now managed by a newly formed charitable trust. Their task is formidable. To restore the house, and redevelop the estate in order to make it self-sustaining, without destroying the very essence of the place that Scott created. It is the objective of the trustees to ensure that Abbotsford becomes the centre of a renaissance of Scott’s works, but in a way that a modern audience will appreciate. A new building will contain interpretation of Scott’s life and achievements, conference and film facilities, together with restaurant and retail areas of a high quality. The trust aims to raise £10 - £12 million, and will be seeking funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund, conservation trusts and philanthropists.
Price
House and grounds £7.00 Adult/ £3.50 Child/£16.00 Family
Garden only £3.00
Groups min 8 [inclusive of guided tour]: £5.00 Adult/ £3.00 Child
Special Facilities
Disabled access via private drive. Disabled car parking; picnic tables in grounds.
Opening Times
House and tearoom open daily 16 March – 31 Oct Mon – Sat 0930 – 1700
Sun [March, April, May, Oct] 11.00 – 16.00,
Sun [June, July, August, Sept] 0930 – 1700