Abbotsford Library Research Project and Beyond
After Sir Walter Scott's death in 1832, his estate passed to his son who executed
a Deed of Entail on the estate. When this entail was broken in 1954, the ownership
of the Scott's books and many of the artefacts at Abbotsford passed to the Faculty of
Advocates. The Faculty worked well with the Maxwell Scott family living at Abbotsford,
until the death of Dame Jean Maxwell Scott in 2004.
Progress on improving access to Scott's library was made over this period, much of it
directed by Professor Douglas Gifford who was appointed by the Faculty as Honorary
Librarian for Abbotsford in 1995. At the same time an advisory committee was set up,
bringing in academic expertise for the universities of Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen
and from the National Library of Scotland to support the library staff of the Advocates
Library and advise the Faculty on matters relating to the Abbotsford library. This
committee guided the work of what became known as the Abbotsford Library Research Project.
Over the next decade, this advisory committee, with Professor Gifford as director of
research, led various initiatives aimed at improving access to the library. Find out
more here.
Since the death of Dame Jean Maxwell Scott, Sir Walter Scott's last descendant to
live at Abbotsford, in 2004, the Abbotsford Trust has been responsible for managing
the Abbotsford estate and the Faculty of Advocates has been working with the Abbotsford
Trust to ensure the long term survival of Abbotsford. Abbotsford is undergoing a major
refurbishment and is due to reopen in summer 2013. A new visitor reception building
is open now, with a shop, restaurant and an exhibition which includes many items from
the library.
The Faculty has transferred its property at Abbotsford, the library books and artefacts,
into a new trust, the Faculty of Advocates Abbotsford Collection Trust, promising that
the collections will remain at Abbotsford. Both Faculty and Abbotsford trusts continue
to benefit from the advice of a joint advisory committee. In addition to representation
from the universities, National Library of Scotland and Faculty, the committee now also
includes representatives from the National Museums of Scotland and the National Trust for
Scotland.
Members of the advisory committee have assisted Abbotsford on various matters related
to the collections, including their interpretation and learning and engagement initiatives.
This partnership will continue and develop as Abbotsford evolves into a major visitor
attraction, helping Abbotsford deliver its objective of advancing Scotland's arts, culture,
heritage and education in particular about the life, works and family of Sir Walter Scott
and Abbotsford.
The Abbotsford website provides further details about
developments at Abbotsford.
Special Collections
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