The Club at Abbotsford

Nineteen Club members and guests received very special treatment during our excursion to Abbotsford, the home of Sir Walter Scott. Friday 15th August marked the 254th anniversary of Sir Walter Scott’s birthday so was an appropriate day to visit, with the luck of good weather throughout.

CEO Giles Ingram set the tone, with not only warm words of welcome and introduction, joining us with his fundraising colleague Sheena Stone, but also bookending our visit by driving the minibus for our train connections.

Retired archivist and volunteer guide Bruce Jackson provided an insightful tour of the house, ably answering our questions and providing something for our first time and regular visitors. We were then treated to a special display of the upcoming Jacobite exhibition thanks to our Committee member and recent Chair Lucy Wood. She fascinated us with her description of a portrait miniature, a fragment of Bonnie Prince Charlie’s garter ribbon, reportedly worn at the Battle of Culloden and a beautifully bound volume of Jacobite songs.

A combination of picnic and Ochiltree’s café lunches set us up for a lovely afternoon exploring the chapel, walled gardens and part of the riverside walk. Despite spending five hours at Abbotsford we left reluctantly feeling there was still more to explore and enjoy – we shall have to return individually and as a group more often!

A huge thank you to all the staff and volunteers who coordinated to give us a memorable day, as well as assuring us all that Scott’s home and legacy is in the very best of hands.

Club members are very much encouraged to visit and support Abbotsford. Friends membership is a great way to not only make the most out of visiting Abbotsford but to help them. This and other ways to support and donate can be found at their website Abbotsford