An artist's rendition of the house

Abbotsford is a historic house in the region of Scottish Borders in the south of Scotland, near Melrose, on south bank of the River Tweed. It was formerly the residence of novelist Walter Scott. image taken from 1881 cyclopedia This image is in the public domain because its copyright has expired in the United States and those countries with a copyright term of life of the author plus 100 years. ... image taken from 1881 cyclopedia This image is in the public domain because its copyright has expired in the United States and those countries with a copyright term of life of the author plus 100 years. ... A historic house can be a stately home, the birthplace of a famous person, or a house with an interesting history. ... Scottish Borders is one of 32 unitary council regions in Scotland. ... Scotland (Scottish Gaelic: Alba) is a country in northwest Europe, occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain. ... Melrose is a small, historic town on the Scottish Borders. ... Categories: UK geography stubs | Rivers in Northumberland | Scottish Borders | Scottish rivers ... Sir Walter Scott (August 14, 1771 - September 21, 1832) was a prolific Scottish historical novelist and poet popular throughout Europe. ...

The nucleus of the estate was a small farm of 100 acres (0.4 km²), called Cartleyhole, nicknamed Clarty (i.e., muddy) Hole, and bought by Scott on the lapse of his lease (1811) of the neighbouring house of Ashestiel. He at first built a small villa (now the western end of the house) and named it Abbotsford, creating the name from a ford near by where previously abbots of Melrose Abbey used to cross the river. Scott then built additions to the house and made it into a mansion, building into the walls many sculptured stones from ruined castles and abbeys of Scotland. In it he gathered a large library, and a collection of ancient furniture, arms and armour, and other relics and curiosities, especially connected with Scottish history. 1811 was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). ... I do love these ancient ruins; We never tread upon them, but we set Our foot upon some reverend history. ... Furniture is the collective term for the movable objects which support the human body (seating furniture and beds), provide storage, and hold objects on horizontal surfaces above the ground. ... Stirling Castle has stood for centuries atop a volcanic crag defending the lowest ford of the River Forth. ...

The last and principal acquisition being that of Toftfield (afterwards named Huntlyburn), purchased in 1817. The new house was then begun and completed in 1824. 1817 was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... 1824 was a leap year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar). ...

The general ground-plan is a parallelogram, with irregular outlines, one side overlooking the Tweed; and the style is mainly the Scottish Baronial. Into various parts of the fabric were built relics and curiosities from historical structures, such as the doorway of the old Tolbooth in Edinburgh. Edinburghs location in Scotland Edinburgh viewed from Arthurs Seat. ...

Scott had only enjoyed his residence one year when (1825) he met with that reverse of fortune which involved the estate in debt. In 1830 the library and museum were presented to him as a free gift by the creditors. The property was wholly disencumbered in 1847 by Robert Cadell, the publisher, who cancelled the bond upon it in exchange for the family's share in the copyright of Sir Walter's works. 1825 was a common year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar). ... 1830 was a common year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ... 1847 was a common year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ...

Abbotsford House (north elevation)

Scott's only son Walter did not live to enjoy the property, having died on his way from India in 1847. Among subsequent possessors were Scott's son-in-law, J. G. Lockhart, J. R. Hope Scott, Q.C., and his daughter (Scott's great-granddaughter), the Hon. Mrs Maxwell Scott. Abbotsford House, near Melrose in Scotland, the home of novelist Sir Walter Scott. ... Abbotsford House, near Melrose in Scotland, the home of novelist Sir Walter Scott. ... 1847 was a common year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ... Queens Counsel (postnominal QC), during the reign of a male Sovereign known as Kings Counsel (KC), are barristers or, in Scotland, advocates appointed by patent to be one of Her Majestys Counsel learned in the law. They do not constitute a separate order or degree of lawyers. ...

Abbotsford gave its name to the "Abbotsford Club," a successor of the Bannatyne and Maitland clubs, founded by W. B. D. D. Turnbull in 1834 in Scott's honour, for printing and publishing historical works connected with his writings. Its publications extended from 1835 to 1864. 1834 was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... 1835 was a common year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar). ... 1864 was a leap year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ...

The house continued to be occupied by Scott's descendents for several generations, and was opened to the public in recent times. However in 2005 it was announced that following the death of Jean Maxwell-Scott, the great, great, great grand-daughter of the writer and his last direct descendent the previous year, there was no family member willing to live at Abbotsford. Historic Scotland and the National Trust for Scotland are attempting to secure the house's future [1] (http://www.timesonline.co.uk/newspaper/0,,173-1617987,00.html) 2005 is a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar and is the current year. ... Historic Scotland is the Scottish agency looking after historic monuments. ... The National Trust for Scotland, or NTS, describes itself as The conservation charity that protects and promotes Scotlands natural and cultural heritage for present and future generations to enjoy. ...