You can make a donation to the Abbotsford campaign by clicking here and visiting our Just Giving Page.The Abbotsford Trust (Scottish Charity No SCO37425) was established in 2007. Its objectives are to preserve, protect and improve the Abbotsford buildings and contents and land associated with Sir Walter Scott and his family for the benefit and enjoyment of the public; and to advance the education of the public in relation to the life and works of Sir Walter Scott and the history of Abbotsford.
The Trust believes that Abbotsford has reached a crossroads in its history. Without essential investment Scotland, the UK and the world stand to lose a key facet in terms of our literary and architectural heritage, with future generations oblivious to the rich legacy that Scott left behind. If Abbotsford can be preserved and improved so that it can host greater numbers of visitors, then this legacy can be contextualised and understood.
The Trust is embarking upon an ambitious and visionary programme to reinvigorate and redevelop the house, collections and remaining estate for public benefit. They firmly believe that the house will play a fundamental role in helping Scott and his works continue to grow in popularity and in once again playing a part in the schools curricula. Abbotsford has the opportunity to become a major literary pilgrimage centre, a focus for cultural activity and perhaps even a showcase for the exploration of belonging, nationhood and reconciliation that were not only intrinsic in Scott’s works but are major issues in the modern world.
Through the creation of a new visitor reception building and the upgrading of the whole visitor experience, the Trust aims to encapsulate the story of Scott and articulate it in a way that will appeal to a modern Scottish and international audience. This will regenerate interest through inventive presentation and inspiring educational programmes, designed to ensure that it will be a place of enlightenment and entertainment. Central to this will be a programme of comprehensive conservation works to the house, to ensure the long term security of the fabric and sustain it, and the priceless collections within it, for future generations to enjoy.
A new education suite will be created allowing the Trust to develop creative educational programmes. This will engage local, national and international audiences of all ages and backgrounds, in the heritage value of Sir Walter Scott, his works and his house at Abbotsford.
This will complement the visitor reception building, which will be free to access, maximising the number of people engaged in learning about and understanding Scott’s heritage. The Abbotsford Trust, through market research that it has commissioned, believes that this will also ensure greater numbers of the local community will engage with this important component of their own local heritage.
It is planned that construction of the new visitor reception building and the conservation and modification work to the house will commence in January 2011 and that all work will be completed by January 2013. The works will be carried out so that visitors will still be able to access Abbotsford during most of the summer months.
To date the Trust has secured over £9 million towards the £11.2 million target to save Abbotsford. Please consider helping to save this internationally important house by making a donation, joining the Friends of Abbotsford or by becoming a member of our prestigious Abbotsford Club. If you would like to find out more about the campaign to save Abbotsford, you can download a full information pack here.
Click here to download a full information pack