Scott on the Road comprises over 20 objects from the historic home which is currently closed while it undergoes a multi-million pound refurbishment.  The objects will tour three different Scottish Borders Council Museums & Galleries Service venues in Hawick, Selkirk and Innerleithen as part of a free exhibition.

The initiative aims to showcase to Borders residents and visitors to the region a sample of Scott’s collections and illustrate the historical and cultural significance of the novelist and his Scottish Borders home. The main house at Abbotsford will re-open to the public in 2013 and a new Visitor Centre is currently under construction and is scheduled to open later this Summer.

Other items on display as part of Scott on the Road will include Scott’s spectacles, walking cane, goose-feather quill pen and writing box as well as portraits of Scott, a miniature painting of Prince Charles Edward Stewart, the Montrose Sword, a pair of 18^th century Scottish pistols and an iron thumbscrew.

Dr Sandra McNeil, Learning and Engagement Officer, The Abbotsford Trust said;

“Abbotsford will re-open next year following vital restoration work, but while the doors are closed to visitors, we thought this would be an ideal opportunity to take some of the precious objects normally displayed in the house into the Borders community for residents to enjoy.  It’s a small sample of the collections gathered by Scott together with some of his personal effects and brief background on his life, his Abbotsford home and his links to the Borders.  We hope it will provide a flavour of the fascinating attraction that Scott’s home and our new visitor centre will become once they are completed.”

Rosemary Hannay from Scottish Borders Council Museums Service said;

“Scottish Borders Council Museums are delighted to host this fascinating touring exhibition which offers a unique insight into the contribution Scott has made to Borders life and culture.  Several of the museums which will host the exhibition have close links with Sir Walter Scott, both as a writer and as a local sheriff and we hope that both visitors and locals will take this opportunity to view some of the extraordinary collection held at Abbotsford.”

Scott on the Road will visit the following venues:

Borders Textile Towerhouse, Hawick (1 May – 17 June 2012)

St Ronan’s Wells Visitor Centre, Innerleithen (25 June-26 August 2012)

Sir Walter Scott’s Courtroom, Selkirk (15 September-31 October 2012)

All of the objects displayed as part of Scott on the Road are normally on show at Abbotsford and will return to the attraction when it re-opens in 2013.  A selection of the objects belong to the Faculty of Advocates Abbotsford Collection Trust with the remainder owned solely by The Abbotsford Trust.

Sir Walter Scott loved his garden and it’s easy to see why.  He designed the grounds like a suite of outdoor garden rooms that started at the house and eventually led to the Walled or kitchen garden where he is said to have spent a lot of time.

The Walled Garden is extremely beautiful with a sloping, south-west facing outlook and glorious views over the Tweed Valley. I love the fact that it has been used as a kitchen garden for over 200 years supplying the family and their guests with home-grown produce.  There are apple trees here that we think are over 100 years old as well as beautifully-gnarled fruit trees that are impossible to date but that still produce delicious Victoria plums and pears.

The gardens will open to the public again this Summer and we’re currently working on re-designing part of the Walled Garden to make it more accessible for different groups and to engage students and community groups.   For example, we’re planting some fabulous purple carrots and purple cauliflower to spark an interest in planting from some of the schoolchildren who will be visiting.

In March and April, we start sowing seeds and will divide the herbaceous perennials.  Then, in May, we’ll see a glorious stretch of vibrantly-coloured tulips and daffodils which Scott’s great, great grand-daughters, Mrs Patricia and Dame Jean Maxwell Scott, added to each year.  The Summer months will be filled with colour as the flowers bloom and the fruit and vegetables come into their own.

I just love researching the history of these gardens and think it’s amazing that I’m walking on the same paths that Scott used around these grounds. He was also a prolific tree planter and some of the trees he planted still grow here today including two beautiful yews at the entrance to the Walled Garden.  The estate was much larger in Scott’s day and from some parts of the garden, you can see the trees he planted for miles.

As well as working here, I’m also an artist and jeweller.  I take a lot of inspiration from the flowers and plants I see here and believe that spending time in the gardens at Abbotsford will be equally inspirational for all of our visitors when we re-open this Summer.

A major regeneration project is currently underway at the historic property which will see the opening of a new visitor centre later this year in addition to the re-opening of the main house in 2013 following vital restoration and refurbishment.

Through a combination of public and private sources, The Abbotsford Trust has so far raised 75% of the £14 million it believes is required to ensure Abbotsford’s future however a further £3.7 million is still needed to ensure the property’s long-term financial security.

Lorna’s newly-created role will see her spearhead a major fundraising drive with businesses and private individuals in addition to running a number of legacy, membership and regular giving projects to attract additional donations.

She has extensive experience in the fundraising sector having worked as Director of Development at The Edinburgh Academy Foundation raising funds for School projects including the building of a new science centre, in addition to roles as Head of Fundraising for ScotsCare (formerly the Royal Scottish Corporation) in London and as South of Scotland Area Fundraising Manager for Macmillan Cancer Care.  She currently lives near Earlston in the Scottish Borders.

Jason Dyer, Chief Executive, The Abbotsford Trust said; “We have been extremely well supported to date and have raised over £10 million to restore and protect one of Scotland’s most precious cultural assets, however we still need to raise a further £3.7 million to make sure the project will be in a secure financial position in the years to come. Lorna has the ideal experience to drive this element of the project forward and we are delighted that she has joined the Abbotsford team.”

The main house at Abbotsford is currently closed to the public but will re-open in 2013. A new Visitor Centre is currently under construction and is scheduled to open in Summer 2012.

Donations can be made via the Abbotsford website or by contacting The Trust on 01896 752043.

£8.01 per hour

The Abbotsford Trust is looking for several knowledgeable and skilled individuals to be trained to deliver guided tours at Abbotsford as well as other talks and presentations.  The role is initially on a casual basis. You will be required to have highly developed communication skills and ideally speak another language as well as English.  You will ideally have knowledge of and interest in Sir Walter Scott, his life, legacy and family. Relevant knowledge of wider Scottish and British history is desirable. We will provide you with a full induction.

Further details are available by e-mailing:  vacancies@scottsabbotsford.co.uk or telephoning 01896 752043. 

The closing date for applications is 12 noon Wednesday 11^th April 2012.