Abbotsford House and Melrose

Today we're taking a trip to the home of Sir Walter Scott, Abbotsford House, set in lovely gardens on the banks of the River Tweed, it was built between 1817 - 1825, still owned by the Scott family until the death of Walter Scott's great-great-great-granddaughter in 2004..
Only the rooms on the ground floor are open to the public and you are guided round them with an audio tour. Eight bedrooms in the Hope-Scott wing can be rented out for stays at the princely sum of £2,800 for 2 nights.

After touring the house and gardens it's back to the visitor centre for a cuppa and cake and to purchase the obligatory fridge magnet and Christmas decoration.

After arriving back at the campsite we take a walk around the wee town of Melrose. Complete with its Abbey ruins and independent shops, although not much open as it's getting late, we were surprised to find a butchers, artisan bakery and fishmongers and a fabulous ladies dress shop, rather out of my price range though, £269 for a blouse is a bit steep. We do stop off for a pint of real ale in The Kings Arms on the way home, very nice. Lovely little town.Read more