New Walter Scott visitor centre ‘will reflect author’s genius’

• Exhibition tells story of Sir Walter Scott

• Academic who taught Tony Blair and David Cameron hails visitor centre

Edinburgh-born Sir Eric Anderson - who has taught English to Princes Charles, William and Harry as well as politicians David Cameron, Tony Blair and Boris Johnson - believe the true genius of Sir Walter Scott will now be appreciated.

The purpose-built centre at Scott’s home near Galashiels, Selkirkshire, on the banks of the River Tweed officially opens its doors on Monday and is part of a £14.5 million transformation of Abbotsford House.

It features an exhibition that tells the story of the world’s first best-selling author from his birth in Edinburgh in 1771, his family life, education and his successful literary career to his financial ruin in 1825 and the cultural legacy he left Scotland and the rest of the world.

Sir Eric, 76, - who taught at Eton, Fettes and Gordonstoun - said:” Scott was so proud of Scotland but he had a major influence on rhe rest of the world.

“This wonderful exhibition in the visitor centre will give people an insight into his life. He was a fascinating man with so many interests.

“In my opinion he was the most important Scot who has ever lived.

“Now his story is being brought to life which will entertain visitors from all over the world.

“Ever since I was a 16-year-old at school in Edinburgh I have always been interested in the work of Scott.

“Of the famous pupils I have taught only Tony Blair read Scott’s Rob Roy at Fettes College and that is perhaps a regret of mine.

“But this centre will definitely spread the word of Scott and help his work be morte appreciated by a wider audience.”

Sir Eric, who was a friend of Sir Walter’s last direct descendant Dame Jean Maxwell until her death in 2007 and was this year appointed an Abbotsford trustee - added:”Abbotsford is now a world-class visitor experience.”

Abbotsford is closed to the public until next year as it undergoes major improvement works and structural repairs.

But the visitor centre contains many objects from his private collection which are on display for the first time including the design books and accounts for the construction of Abbotsford.

Other items on show include the egg-timer Scott used to set the pace of his writing and increase his production levels as he attempted to write himself out of a £126,000 debt - the equaivalent of £10 million today - that resulted from the collapse of his publisher and printmaker in 1826.

The centre also features a shop and a dining space, named Ochiltree’s after a character in Scott’s novel The Antiquary.

Jason Dyer, chief executive of The Abbotsford Trust, said:”In the 19th Century, Scott’s face was recongised globally and he is often regareded as the world’s first celebrity superstar.

“Howver his reputation here declined in the 20th century with his literary triumphs often dismissed at home and his books rarely read.

“The new Abbotsford Visitor Centre is the first step in an effort to change that and remind people that Sir Walter Scott is a towering figure in literary and cultural terms at both home and abroad.

“We are delighted that we have reached this important milestone in our efforts to create an attraction that will encourage visitors from across the world to come to the Scottish Borders and learn about this important man.”

More than £12 million has been raised to date as part of The Abbotsford Trust’s campaign to save Abbotsford.

Major funders include the Heritage Lottery Fund, the Scottish Government , Hisgtoric Scotland, Scottish Borders Council and Scottish Enterprise as well as a number of private inbdividuals and charitable trusts.

Fundraising for the project remains ongoing with an additional £2.5 million required to guarantee Abbotsford’s future.