Abbotsford the home of Sir Walter Scott
Tourist attraction · Scottish Borders ·

Abbotsford the home of Sir Walter Scott

Tourist attraction · Scottish Borders ·

Home of Sir Walter Scott, literary treasures, gardens, cafe

sir walter scott
audio guides
gardens
visitor centre
friendly guides
river walks
cafe
literary history
Abbotsford the home of Sir Walter Scott by null
Abbotsford the home of Sir Walter Scott by Photo courtesy of The Abbotsford Trust
Abbotsford the home of Sir Walter Scott by null
Abbotsford the home of Sir Walter Scott by null
Abbotsford the home of Sir Walter Scott by null
Abbotsford the home of Sir Walter Scott by null
Abbotsford the home of Sir Walter Scott by null
Abbotsford the home of Sir Walter Scott by null
Abbotsford the home of Sir Walter Scott by null
Abbotsford the home of Sir Walter Scott by null
Abbotsford the home of Sir Walter Scott by null
Abbotsford the home of Sir Walter Scott by null
Abbotsford the home of Sir Walter Scott by null
Abbotsford the home of Sir Walter Scott by null
Abbotsford the home of Sir Walter Scott by null
Abbotsford the home of Sir Walter Scott by null
Abbotsford the home of Sir Walter Scott by null
Abbotsford the home of Sir Walter Scott by null
Abbotsford the home of Sir Walter Scott by null
Abbotsford the home of Sir Walter Scott by null
Abbotsford the home of Sir Walter Scott by null

Information

J62C+46 Abbotsford House, Melrose TD6 9BQ, United Kingdom Get directions

Restroom
Credit card accepted
Debit card accepted
Contactless accepted
Free street parking

Information

Static Map

J62C+46 Abbotsford House, Melrose TD6 9BQ, United Kingdom Get directions

+44 1896 752043
scottsabbotsford.com
@abbotsfordscott
𝕏
@abbotsfordscott

Features

•Restroom
•Credit card accepted
•Debit card accepted
•Contactless accepted
•Free street parking
•Wheelchair accessible entrance
•Wheelchair accessible parking lot
•Wheelchair accessible restroom

Last updated

Jan 22, 2026

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@cntraveler
42,481 Postcards · 5,685 Cities

The Best Places to Visit in Scotland | Condé Nast Traveler

"Abbotsford House is described as a suspenseful neo‑medieval home where Sir Walter Scott penned many of his famous works, making it a literary and historical highlight in the Borders." - Mike MacEacheran

https://www.cntraveler.com/story/the-best-places-to-visit-in-scotland
Abbotsford the home of Sir Walter Scott
@afar
25,132 Postcards · 3,702 Cities

"Abbotsford The former home of Scottish historical novelist Sir Walter Scott, Abbotsford contains a treasure trove of objects that the great 19th-century author collected during his eventful life. Having popularized tartan, saved the Scottish banknote, and rediscovered his country’s crown jewels, Scott ended up with a variety of unique mementos—from Mary Queen of Scot’s crucifix to Rob Roy’s hunting knife—that inspired his greatest poems and novels. Tour the house where he spent some of his most productive writing years, and take note of the arched entrance copied from Linlithgow Palace and the door from Edinburgh’s Old Tolbooth building incorporated into a side wall. Then walk through the Regency-style gardens, where you’ll find a greenhouse based on a medieval jousting tent. Also on-site is a visitor center that hosts rotating exhibitions as well as a permanent display on Sir Walter Scott, a gift shop, and a café serving tea, cakes, and snacks."

The Essential Guide to the Scottish Borders and Southwest
Photo courtesy of The Abbotsford Trust
Abbotsford The Home Of Sir Walter Scott

David C.

Google
What a fantastic place. We stayed here for my partners birthday with her extended family and every one of us loved it. We stayed for the weekend. There is a very nice cafe on the grounds serving restaurant quality food and the tour of the castle was fantastic too. The place was spotless and very comfortable and the host was really friendly and accommodating. Keep up the good work and dont change a thing.

Jamie P.

Google
Fascinating place, very well preserved and so much to look at. Visited here on a Saturday, but early so not too busy. Short walk to the house from the visitor centre and entrance - £15.40 for the day pass for the house and gardens, unfortunately the chapel was closed. Friendly guides at the entrance explained a bit about the house and gave us the audio guides. These were essential really as there was so much in each room to see. There are not actually that many rooms, but the audio guides are really good at explaining the history and function of each, especially if you choose the storytelling guide (as opposed to just the information read out). Great views over the river, and even in November the gardens are good to look around. We also had a walk along the river, there are plenty that start from here.

Michael S.

Google
This is a beautiful house of modest size set in a sublime aspect. It is best viewed after entering from the car park from the first floor balcony of the visitor centre. Happily you can also enjoy a pleasant meal while taking in the view. Taking the path down to the house you pass adjacent to the walled garden. First enter the chapel on the left hand side. A beautifully peaceful place to dwell. Then retrace your steps back outside and enter the house after passing through a stone archway. Friendly volunteers welcome you and offer an audio tour should you wish. Only the ground floor is open to visitors but there is a tremendous amount to take in including the interesting range of artifacts which Scott collected. Once finished in the house then the gardens, which are remarkable well maintained, are worth a gentle stroll. Whrn we visited it was a very hot day so we took advantage of sitting on one of the traditional deckchairs near visitor centre. There is a very reasonable parking charge of £2 per day (August 2025). This is a very worthwhile place to visit.

Rachel F.

Google
Lovely visit, guides in the house very welcoming and knowledgeable. Used the recorded information - there were 2 to choose from, one factual and one in the style of Walter Scott himself which I used, it was brilliant. Lovely walk by the river and back through the gardens. Staff in the visitor centre with very welcoming and keen to share where the dogs could go (everywhere except the house). Free entry with Historic Houses membership.

Nina T.

Google
My first visit here was very impressive. The place is beautiful, there are cafes, and convenient parking, making it suitable for families. I would recommend everyone to come and try it out.

Mark R.

Google
We visited late to September 2025 to this particular heritage site and found it fascinating. Not only were we enchanted with the interior of the house but also the the gardens and of course the history. Well recommended and we found it easy to park. A++

Paula

Google
Bought an unlimited ticket to experience the whole of Abbotsford as had never visited before & neither had mother in law who's lived in the Borders for over 80yrs! We ranged in ages from teens to 80+ & we all thoroughly enjoyed our visit. The house tour was very interesting & well thought out with 'Sir Walter' taking us round his home. The gardens were lovely & there was plenty of seating dotted around if you got a little weary. The cafe was good accommodating various dietary requirements. There was also a 'snack' area out to the front of the main building with picnic benches. Us younger ones visited Witch's Corner & enjoyed the quiz collecting the trophy bookmarks afterwards! All staff, from the knowledgeable & passionate volunteers to the workers in the main building & cafe were friendly & polite. The facilities were nice & clean too. Plenty of on site parking available at a reasonable price. Would quite happily return & highly recommend a visit if you're in the area.

Lauren S.

Google
One of the highlights of our trip to Scotland! Abbotsford is so interesting! This home has history, literature, culture and most of all insights into a fascinating life. One of the two audio tours available uses actors and excerpts from Sir Walter Scott’s diary to tell his story. It is beautifully done. The gardens, restaurant and gift shop are also wonderful! Both my husband and I loved it!