THE Abbotsford Trust, which runs Sir Walter Scott's home, has announced the appointment of two new Trustees - Sir Eric Anderson and Liz McIntyre.

Edinburgh-born Sir Eric Anderson is a former Headmaster and Provost of Eton and Rector of Lincoln College Oxford. Sir Walter Scott has been a lifelong interest and the subject of many of his articles and lectures in Britain and America.

Sir Eric is a Knight of the Thistle, a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh and an honorary member of the Merchant Company.

Liz McIntyre is Principle and Chief Executive of Borders College. A Scottish-born graduate of the University of Dundee, she worked in HR management in the retail sector before training as a college lecturer and then moving into a management role.

Lord Sanderson of Bowden, Chairman of The Abbotsford Trust told us: "We are incredibly fortunate to be able to announce two such high calibre appointments to Abbotsford's Board of Trustees.

"The project has come a long way since the Trust was formed but there is still much work to do as we transform Abbotsford into a world-class visitor attraction and centre of learning about Scott and his work.

"We believe that Liz McIntyre and Sir Eric Anderson have the perfect combination of knowledge and experience to make a significant contribution to our work." The new Trustees will join nine other members of the board, which operates on a voluntary basis, as the Trust continues in its mission to preserve, protect and improve Abbotsford and enhance knowledge and understanding about the life and works of Sir Walter Scott. Since it was formed in 2007, the body has raised �12 million to safeguard Abbotsford's future and a major regeneration project is currently underway at the historic attraction which will see a new visitor centre opening later this summer in addition to the re-opening of the main house in 2013 following vital restoration and refurbishment.

Fundraising work is also continuing, as a further �2.5 million is required to create an endowment to secure the property's future in the longer term.