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Abbotsford is the home of Sir Walter Scott, the best-selling Scottish author of his time.
Scott has many accolades and is highly regarded in Scotland and beyond. For proof, just look at the Scott Monument in Edinburgh, built after his death, or the fact that Waverley Train Station is named after one of his novels.
Even if you’ve never read one of Sir Walter Scott’s books, the most famous being Ivanhoe and Rob Roy, you’ll get so much out of a visit to his estate.
Abbotsford is only an hour from Edinburgh by train, but it’s well worth the journey to this truly enchanting place.
About Abbotsford
What I found most interesting about my visit to Abbotsford is that Sir Walter Scott was able to buy and build this property solely with the money earned from writing books.
When they say he was the best-selling author of his time, they really mean it. Because, wow, his house really takes your breath away.
It’s built in the Scottish Baronial style, and when Queen Victoria stayed here, she loved the architecture so much she emulated it when having Balmoral Castle built.
In short, Sir Walter Scott was an influential icon, way ahead of his time.
Quick Facts about Visiting Abbotsford
Location: Abbotsford, Melrose, Roxburghshire TD6 9BQ
Months Open: March-December (woodlands open yearround)
Hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Cost: £15.40 for adults (pay once, visit all year)
How to Get Tickets: Purchase online or on site, on the day of visit. (Tip: You can get 10% off by joining their email list.)
(Check the official website for more info)
How Long to Spend There
Expect your visit to Abbotsford to take several hours.
We arrived at Abbotsford around noon, had lunch, then wandered around the house, gardens, and woodlands until closing time at 4 p.m. (Before arriving, we also spent an hour and a half at the nearby Melrose Abbey.)
Here’s an approximate amount of time to spend in each area of Abbotsford:
- House: 1-1.5 hours (including time to listen to the audio guide)
- Chapel: 20 minutes
- Gardens: 1 hour
- Woodlands: 1 hour
- Witch Corner: 20-30 minutes
- Visitor centre and exhibition: 30-40 minutes
- PLUS nearby Melrose Abbey: 1-1.5 hours
There’s so much to see and admire, so definitely plan for it to be a full day trip.
What to Do at Abbotsford
Tour the House
Start with the house, which was left just as Scott kept it (the ground floor, anyway).
You’ll be able to tour the entire ground floor, including the library, Scott’s personal study, the dining room, and more.
Each room is beautifully decorated and contains a collection of items — from shining armour to 9,000 books.
You’ll be given an audio guide to listen and learn more about each room.
There’s a lot to take in, so don’t rush.
Stroll the Gardens
The gardens at Abbotsford were originally designed by Sir Walter Scott. They consist of three rooms — the South Court, Morris Garden, and Walled Garden.
South Court. This garden is right in front of the house, marking a beautiful entrance. You could quickly stroll around it in less than 10 minutes.
Morris Garden. This garden is just to the east of the house, separated from the South Court by arches, and is sunken. You can get a great view of the house from this angle.
Walled Garden. This garden is the star of the show, in my opinion. For the best photos of the flowers and the house, head all the way to the back of the walled garden, where the glasshouse is, and turn around. Just beautiful.
Roam the Woodlands
Keep exploring the woodlands around Abbotsford as there is even more to see.
Walk toward the River Tweed to get views of the back of Abbotsford house.
Down in the woods, you’ll also be able to walk along one of the many trails and see some wildlife.
Sir Walter Scott was an avid tree planter, and he planted many of the trees you see on the hillsides and along the riverbanks.
Today, the Abbotsford Trust looks after 120 acres of land, which is free for the public to roam anytime, even when the house is closed.
How Sir Walter Scott Saved Abbotsford
In the last years of Scott’s life, he faced bankruptcy when his printing business collapsed during a banking crisis in 1825. He owed about £130,000 (which is almost £9 million in today’s currency).
Rather than declare bankruptcy or accept help, Scott opted to write his way out of debt. Between 1826 and his death in 1832, he wrote six novels and 11 works of non-fiction.
A year after his death, his creditors were paid in full, and the Abbotsford estate was successfully saved and passed on to Scott’s children.
One of the staff members at Abbotsford theorized that his prolific writing may have caused his early death (at age 61).
However, it does show great character on Scott’s part, that he took the responsibility upon himself to pay back his debt and ensure the legacy of Abbotsford lived on.
Is It Worth Visiting on a Day Trip?
Abbotsford is 100% worth visiting on a day trip from Edinburgh. I would go back in a heartbeat.
It’s not just a beautiful place but a home with a rich history tied to one of Scotland’s greatest writers.
By visiting, you’ll gain a deeper appreciation for Sir Walter Scott and may even be inspired to read one of his famous books.
Don’t Miss Melrose Abbey
While you’re visiting Abbotsford and Melrose, don’t miss Melrose Abbey.
It will take about an hour to visit, but it’s well worth the detour from Abbotsford.
Why visit Melrose Abbey?
Take in the history. Melrose Abbey was founded in 1136 and is now mostly ruins. Because of its location near the Scottish Borders, Melrose Abbey saw plenty of conflict with England during the Middle Ages.
On my visit, we weren’t allowed inside the abbey due to the structure’s instability, but it was still interesting to roam this historic place.
See a famous buried heart. The heart of Robert the Bruce (who died in 1329) was buried at Melrose, and a stone in the ground marks its location (although it’s not completely verified that it’s his heart).
View medieval artefacts. You can also head over to the nearby Commendator’s House Museum to view a collection of medieval artefacts (included with your entry ticket).
Note: the free shuttle bus from Abbotsford can also stop at Melrose Abbey. Very convenient!
How to Get There
Step 1: Take the train. From Edinburgh, I recommend taking the train from Waverley Station to Tweedbank Station. (P.s. Look out for the Scott quotes posted around Waverley Station.)
The train journey takes about one hour exactly (no transfers). I recommend booking your tickets on the Trainline app.
Step 2: Walk or take a bus. When you arrive at Tweedbank Station, you can either walk, take the bus to Abbotsford, or time your arrival to meet the free shuttle bus.
I took the shuttle bus and thought it was a very convenient way to get from place to place. They will even take you to Melrose Abbey. Visit the Abbotsford website for more information about the shuttle bus as it doesn’t run during winter months.
When to Visit
Autumn. Don’t miss autumn at Abbotsford, it’s stunning.
I visited in mid-October and the fall foliage was on full display and just gorgeous.
Spring and summer. The spring and summer months are also good ones to visit, as the weather will be nice and the flowers will be blooming.
Where to Stay While Visiting
Abbotsford makes for a great day trip from Edinburgh, so I’d recommend staying in Edinburgh while visiting. That way you cut out all the luggage carrying.
To make things even more convenient, you should consider staying near the Waverley Train Station, especially if you plan to do a number of day trips from Edinburgh.
Recommended hotels in Edinburgh near Waverley Train Station:
- Leonardo Royal Hotel
- Apex Waterloo Place Hotel
- Hilton Edinburgh Carlton
- The Scotsman Hotel
- Market Street Hotel
- Motel One Edinburgh-Royal
- Hotel Indigo Edinburgh Princes Street by IHG
- The Balmoral Hotel
Where I stayed:
I stayed in short-term rentals during both visits to Edinburgh.
On my first visit, I stayed in this 2-bedroom flat in the West End, a quiet and peaceful neighborhood in New Town, which was close to the West End tram stop and Dean Village.
On my second visit, I stayed for a week in a 1-bedroom flat in Grassmarket in Old Town. It was facing the Grassmarket Square, right next to the Vennel and Mary’s Milk Bar, with views of Edinburgh Castle out the window.
What to Pack to Visit Scotland
Warm, waterproof wear
If you’re visiting Scotland during its cold and rainy season (almost every month of the year besides a few weeks in summer), you should definitely bring a warm waterproof jacket and waterproof walking boots.
- This waterproof jacket and these waterproof boots I took with me to Scotland helped us explore no matter the weather. We walked around Edinburgh in the rain and snow, during foggy mornings and chilly evenings, and enjoyed it all. Be prepared for rainy weather, and dress for it, so you don’t miss out.
- Also consider bringing fleece-lined leggings — I loved this pair I packed!
Favorite travel essentials
- I really recommend these compression packing cubes. They’re very thick and durable and allow you to pack more than you expect.
- I also love this travel backpack that opens like a suitcase, fits almost as much as a carry-on, and has tons of pockets as well as a strap to attach to your luggage handle. It makes traveling so much easier and more organized. It also fits nicely under the airplane seats.
- I bring this AirFly receiver for AirPods with me on long-haul flights, so I can connect to the plane’s video screen with my own AirPods.
- I no longer hop on a flight without wearing my Sockwell compression socks because they really do help relieve/prevent leg cramps from sitting so long in one place. I have the lotus pattern, but there are other patterns to choose from. See all sock patterns in the Sockwell storefront.
Other Posts to Help You Plan Your Trip to Scotland
Edinburgh
- 3 Day Edinburgh Itinerary: Ultimate Guide for First Timers
- Why Visit Inchcolm Abbey and Island in Scotland
- 18 Best Views of Edinburgh Castle: From the Vennel to Cafe Windows
- 10 Best Places for Afternoon Tea in Edinburgh (I Tried 6!)
- Is There an Underground City in Edinburgh? (Guide + Map)
- 11 Hidden Closes on Edinburgh’s Royal Mile (with Map!)
- Create Your Own Harris Tweed Bag in the Islander Edinburgh Workshop
- Is a Day Trip to the Scottish Highlands from Edinburgh Worth It?
Glasgow
Great idea for a day trip !