iKnow Scotland
- East Coast
- Around Edinburgh
- Edinburgh
- Glasgow
- Glasgow North
- Glasgow South
- Melrose
- Peebles
- Scottish Borders
Melrose Accommodation
Abbotsford, Home of Sir Walter Scott. Over 9000 rare books in his library
'Conundrum Castle .. this romance of a house'. Scott's description of Abbotsford.
Japanese Inspired Wallpaper detail, Abbotsford near Melrose
Garden Statue, Abbotsford
Window View towards the River Tweed, Abbotsford
Turret Touches, Abbotsford, Home of Sir Walter Scott
Death Mask of Scott, at AbbotsfordSir Walter Scott Abbotsford, Walter Scott Biography, Melrose, Borders
Sir Walter Scott (1771-1832) is one of the great names in Scottish Literature, and Abbotsford, his historic home just outside Melrose is a pilgrimage for Walter Scott fans from all over the world. Abbotsford, the small Borders farmhouse which Scott had redesigned and extensively added too, sparing no expense opened its doors to the public just a few months after Scott died in 1832. Little has changed since then.
Abbotsford, Home of Sir Walter Scott, Abbotsford, Melrose, Roxburghshire, TD6 9BQ. Tel. 01896 752 043. (see Abbotsford website right for opening times). Also on the Sir Walter Scott trail visit the mammoth Sir Walter Scott monument in Edinburgh City Centre on Princes Street. Sir Walteer Scott's Courtroom is also open to the public in Selkirk in the Scottish Borders.
Sir Walter Scott Biography
The influence of Scottish 19th century author and poet Sir Walter Scott stretches far beyond Scotland. Classic Scott novels such as Rob Roy, Waverley and Old Mortality brought key events in Scottish history like the Jacobite cause to the world's attention.
Scott suffered some severe health problems during his life. As a baby he endured a severe illness which left him lame for life. Illness hit him again in 1785, and in 1792 his love and suit for Williamina Belsches, a Scots baronet's daughter was not successful. In 1797 he married the daugher of a French refugee, Margaret Charlotte Carpenter (Carpentier) with whom he had four children.
Walter Scott knew his Scottish history, the collection of over 9000 rare books in Scott's library at Abbotsford reinforces that, but he also knew that presenting tedious historical lists of facts interested only the few. The origins of the historical novel can be found in Scott's work, as can his belief that the Revolution of 1688 which put the stops on the Stuarts efforts to enforce the Divine Right of Kings was a glorious event. Scott's leaning is firmly Jacobite, and his cause was picked up on by the American South particularly in the antebellum period before the American Civil War.
Walter Scott was born in Edinburgh on 15th August 1771 to a devout Calvinist father who was a solicitor by profession. His mother was the daughter of an Edinburgh University Professor of Medicine. Much of Scott's early life was spent in Edinburgh, he attended the university and by 1789 was studying for the Scottish Bar. Despite his literary success he always kept a foot in the legal profession's door, and served as Sheriff-Depute of Selkirkshire in 1799, and Clerk of the Court of Session in Edinburgh from 1806 pretty much up until his death in 1832 at Abbotsford.
Abbotsford, Sir Walter Scott's Historic Home
Walter Scott spend six years working on the building of Abbotsford, the attention to antiquarian detail and comfort here including wood panelling and Japanese styled wallpaper is a fascinating insight into the author.
Much work was undertaken by local craftsman. Abbotsford has been open to the public since 1833, just 5 months after Scott's death, and visitors from all over the world continue to visit in their droves, a testament to Scott's longevity.
As well as the Abbotsford house tour, which includes numerous pieces of Scott's collector pieces such as Rob Roy's Gun and Montrose's sword, a private chapel, gardens and grounds can also be toured. Note too the portrait of Scott by Henry Raeburn in the house.
See the Abbotsford website right for opening times and entrance fee details. Ample car parking is adjacent. Abbotsford, Home of Sir Walter Scott, Abbotsford, Melrose, Roxburghshire, TD6 9BQ. Tel. 01896 752 043.
Sir Walter Scott Trail, Edinburgh & the Scottish Borders
Edinburgh's monument to Sir Walter Scott - The Scott Monument, is situated on East Princes Street Gardens. It's a suitably mammoth monument this one, errected shortly after Sir Walter Scott's death in 1832. The architect, one George Meikle Kemp unfortunately died during the monument's construction.
If you've visited Melrose Abbey on the Borders, a building close to Scott's heart, you'll note the similarity of this Gothic spire monument to it. Take a close look at the Scott Monument, as it depicts characters from his Waverley novels, surrounding the central bit statue of Scott himself. The monument opened in 1846, and fans of Scott continue to make pilgrimage, climbing up the 200 foot monument staircase. Check the Scott Monument weblink right for opening times. See also Scott's view from Dryburgh Abbey (weblink right for details).
At Selkirk Sir Walter Scott's Courtroom is essentially a former town house dating from 1803 and it's here that Sir Walter Scott sat as Sheriff. The town house on Market Place contains a visitor centre, audio visual display and small shop.
Sir Walter Scott's Courtroom, Market Place, Selkirk, Selkirkshire TD7 4BT, Scotland. Tel. 01750 720761.
Click Search
