Abbotsford
Sir Walter Scott (1771-1832) is undoubtedly the most famous member of the Faculty of Advocates and one
of the world's greatest writers. He collected around 9000 books throughout his life and his library at his
home at Abbotsford, near Melrose, remains much as he left it. The library's importance cannot be exaggerated
– it is one of a relatively small number of world-class writers' libraries, and, possibly, unique in
remaining in situ and intact, with the books arranged on the shelves as they were during Scott's lifetime.
The volumes, many of which are annotated by him, cover a wide range of subjects (history, politics, literature,
science, Americana, witchcraft), reflecting Scott's many interests and his great renown throughout the world.
The Faculty of Advocates has been entrusted with the care and preservation of Scott's library and many of the
artefacts at Abbotsford since the breaking of an 1839 Deed of Entail on Scott's estate. In 2011, the Faculty
passed ownership of the library and the other artefacts it owned at Abbotsford to the Faculty of Advocates
Abbotsford Collection Trust. This new trust works with the Abbotsford Trust to ensure the long term preservation
of the collections at Abbotsford.
For more information about research initiatives on the collections, click here and to find
out more about Abbotsford visit their website.
Since 2003, a full cataloguing and conservation project has been undertaken by the Faculty to preserve
Scott's wonderful library for the nation and improve its accessibility. As the items are catalogued they
become searchable on the online catalogue.
All enquiries about the Abbotsford Library should be addressed to Andrea Longson, Senior Librarian and
emailed to andrea.longson@advocates.org.uk.
An Access Protocol 
is used to guide decisions on access to the collection.
This protocol is used for books and artefacts belonging to the Faculty of Advocates Abbotsford Collection Trust.
Further guidance on searching the online catalogue for Abbotsford material may be found here
Internet Search Guide
Many significant items have already come to light during the cataloguing process.
Find out more about these here.
Special Collections
|
Print 
sitemap
