The trustees of Sir Walter Scott's Abbotsford home in the Scottish Borders have welcomed the decision announced today by the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) to award Abbotsford a grant of £4.85 million.

The Abbotsford Trust is in the process of raising the estimated £10 million required to save the historic house for future generations and to date had received funding pledges of over £4 million, receipt of which was dependent on the successful outcome of the HLF bid. These pledges - from the Scottish Government, Scottish Borders Council, Scottish Enterprise, Historic Scotland and a number of private individuals, were vital to the success of the HLF application as match-funding is a condition of all of the organisation's grants.

Over £9 million has now been raised by The Abbotsford Trust since it launched its fundraising journey in 2008. Subject to planning permission, it is hoped that work will commence on the regeneration project early next year.

Fundraising efforts will be ongoing to reach the Trust's £10 million target. The organisation is also planning to raise a further £3 million from private individuals, trusts and others to create an endowment which will safeguard Abbotsford for the future and ensure that the Trust will not be dependent on future funds from public and other organisations.

Plans for the house are wide-ranging and cover everything from car parking facilities and general building conservation to the development of interpretative and educational facilities in a new visitor centre. The plans were put to thorough public consultation earlier this year and are currently being considered by Scottish Borders Council's Planning committee.

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