Abbotsford Grounds

A pleasant circular route around Abbotsford’s grounds, home of Sir Walter Scott. His estate is one of the most significant designed landscapes in Scotland, laid out between 1811 and 1825.

Many of the paths through Abbotsford are just as Scott designed and laid out in late Georgian times.

1. From the car park follow the path signed for Abbotsford and the visitor centre. Just before the visitor centre, turn right and follow the Borders Abbeys Way (BAW) downhill.

2. Where the BAW turns right continue a few metres on downhill then turn left into the field. (At the time when Scott was alive there were no bridges across the Tweed in this vicinity and the river was wide and shallow enough to ford at this point. This land once belonged to Melrose Abbey and the crossing was called Abbot’s Ford from which Scott named his house. The ford is still used in June by horses and riders during the Galashiels Braw Lads Gathering).

3. Follow the path across the field towards the riverside, in summer yellow rattle and meadowsweet flowers can be seen in bloom.

4. Follow the path up onto a low embankment and follow this across the field heading away from the river. Here there are fine views looking across to Abbotsford.

5. Go through the gate into the wood and turn left, look out for nuthatch, treecreeper, great spotted woodpecker and other woodland birds.

6. At the junction with the drive bear right and go uphill following the drive as it swings round to the right.

7. At the lodge house take care crossing the main road, go straight ahead through a gate into the wood and continue uphill.

8. At the road turn left and head downhill (you are now back on the BAW).

9. Continue straight ahead and cross the road with care, continue downhill for approx 50 metres, the visitor centre is on your left and the car park to the right.