Sir Walter Scott: Abbotsford Trust volunteers given awards

Trustees of the Abbotsford charity came together with staff in December to celebrate the achievements of those dubbed the “guardians” of the house.

The 115-strong army of volunteers gave up around 13,000 hours last year.

Eleven volunteers received the five-year service award while a further four volunteers were awarded the prize for 10 years – including Abbotsford’s longest serving volunteer, Joyce Cook, who has been with the charity for more than 18 years.

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She said: “Volunteering has been a whole new career. I’ve discovered a skill I never knew I had. I’ve also learnt an awful lot about Scottish literature and history.

“When I saw the advertisement for volunteers in the local paper I was retired and at a bit of a loose end and I thought, ‘Why not’? It has been a voyage of discovery.”

The trust was formed in 2007 to preserve Sir Walter Scott’s unique home and estate.

Long service awardees with trustee Matthew Maxwell-Scott: (L-R) Andy Millar, Gillian Mackay, Hamish Reid, Alan Wrench, Joyce Cook, Matthew Maxwell-Scott, Nancy Bain, Roma Hutchison and Mary Robertson (Image: Abbotsford)

New volunteering opportunities will be advertised at Abbotsford in early spring.

Further information will be available on the Abbotsford website www.scottsabbotsford.com or by contacting Volunteer Centre Borders.

Sandra Mackenzie, heritage engagement manager at Abbotsford, said: “Watching the volunteer programme grow and flourish over the years has been a privilege for me.

“Our volunteers do an amazing job sharing the story of Scott with visitors on site and in their own communities – they truly are the guardians of Abbotsford and I’m sure Scott would be humbled and proud of their dedication to his living legacy.”