ABBOTSFORD was treated to a special delivery last week.

Culture secretary Fiona Hyslop arrived on the banks of the Tweed with a letter first penned there almost 190 years ago.

The copy of a letter written by Sir Walter Scott to the Marquess of Lothian was handed over to officials at the writer's former home.

The original document - penned at Abbotsford in January, 1826 - is now held in the National Records of Scotland.

But the copy which was presented by Ms Hyslop while she visited Abbotsford last Tuesday.

The letter concerns the publication of 'The Historie and Life of King James the Sext' by the Bannatyne Club, a prestigious historical publishing club of which Scott was president until his death.

Ms Hyslop was given a tour of the refurbished building before presenting the letter to Jason Dyer, Chief Executive of The Abbotsford Trust.

Mr Dyer told us: "The Scottish Government has been very supportive of the work we have been doing to transform Abbotsford into a world-class visitor attraction and we're delighted that Ms Hyslop has taken the time to visit and see the results for herself.

"We're also very grateful for the gift she presented to the Trust today which is a fascinating addition to our collections." Scott's original letter to the Marquess of Lothian and the original manuscript of 'History of James Sext' are part of the papers of the Lothian family in the National Records of Scotland.

The collection was purchased for the nation in 1991 with the support of the National Heritage Memorial Fund.

Ms Hyslop admitted she was impressed by the �11 million restoration of Scott's former home.

She said: "Abbotsford is a historic and culturally significant building and after an extensive restoration project it has been transformed into a world-class visitor attraction, and safeguarded for the nation and for visitors from around the world to enjoy.

"Sir Walter Scott left a rich and important legacy and Abbotsford and its contents are a vital part of that. I am delighted to present the staff and trustees of the Abbotsford Trust with a copy of one of Sir Walter Scott's letters, to be displayed in the property." Abbotsford was officially re-opened by Her Majesty The Queen in July - almost two years after it closed to the public for refurbishment.

The reopening followed a five-year campaign to save the historic property and its contents.