Abbotsford, Scottish Borders Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Abbotsford
Abbotsford in 1880
Former names	Cartleyhole, Clarty Hole
General information
Type	Baronial Mansion
Architectural style	Gothic Revival
Location	Scottish Borders
Address	Galashiels
Town or city	Near Galashiels
Country	Scotland
Coordinates	55°35′59″N 2°46′55″W / 55.59972°N 2.78194°W / 55.59972; -2.78194
Renovated	1817–1825
Owner	Scott Family
Designations	Category A Listed Building

Abbotsford is a famous old country house in the Scottish Borders, Scotland. It sits right by the River Tweed, near Galashiels. This amazing house was once the home of Sir Walter Scott, a very famous writer and poet. He built it between 1817 and 1825. Today, you can visit Abbotsford and explore its history. It's a special building, protected as a Category A Listed Building. Its beautiful gardens are also recognized as important.

Discovering Abbotsford House
Visiting Abbotsford
Images for kids
See also

Discovering Abbotsford House

Abbotsford in 1844

Ground plan of Abbotsford

Sir Walter Scott first bought a small farm here in 1811. It was about 100 acres (0.4 square kilometers) and was called Cartleyhole. People sometimes nicknamed it "Clarty Hole," which means "muddy hole." Scott decided to rename it "Abbotsford." This new name came from a nearby shallow part of the river, a "ford," that monks from Melrose Abbey used to cross.

Building a Dream Home

Scott started making the farmhouse bigger in 1811. Then, he added huge new parts between 1816 and 1824. He wanted his home to look like a "romance in Architecture." He also called it a "Conundrum Castle," meaning it was a bit of a puzzle!

The house was built in the Scottish Baronial style. This style looks like a small castle, with towers and decorative battlements. Scott worked with architects William Atkinson and Edward Blore. Abbotsford became a very important example of this style. Many other buildings in Scotland copied ideas from it.

A House Full of History

Scott filled his new home with a huge library of books. He also collected old furniture, weapons, and armor. Many of these items were connected to Scottish history. For example, he had the ancient Celtic Torrs Pony-cap and Horns. He also had the Woodwrae Stone. Today, these special items are in the National Museum of Scotland.

Scott even built parts of old historical buildings into his house. For instance, the doorway from the old Tolbooth prison in Edinburgh was used. He also placed parts of Edinburgh's 15th-century Mercat Cross in his garden walls.

Modern Comforts in a Historic Setting

Even though Abbotsford looked old and historic, Scott wanted it to be comfortable. He used new technologies of his time. The house had early gas lighting. It also had pneumatic bells. These bells connected different rooms, so residents could easily call servants.

Saving Abbotsford for the Future

In 1825, Sir Walter Scott faced money problems. But his library and museum were given back to him. Later, a publisher named Robert Cadell helped clear the debt on the house in 1847. This meant Abbotsford could stay in the Scott family.

Scott's family continued to live in Abbotsford for many years. His great-great-great-granddaughter, Dame Jean Maxwell-Scott, was the last direct family member to own it. She and her sister opened the house to visitors. This helped them pay for its upkeep. The house only got electricity in 1962!

After Dame Jean passed away in 2004, the Abbotsford Trust was created. This trust now looks after the estate. It makes sure Abbotsford stays safe and open for everyone to enjoy.

Visiting Abbotsford

Visitors Centre, Abbotsford

Abbotsford is a popular place to visit. In 2012, a new Visitor Centre opened. It has a small exhibition about the house. You can also find a gift shop and a café there. The house itself reopened in 2013 after big renovations.

In 2014, Abbotsford won a special award. It received the European Union Prize for Cultural Heritage. This award recognized the great work done to preserve the house.

The Tweedbank railway station is located very close to Abbotsford. This makes it easy for people to visit.

Abbotsford House exterior