WORK to transform the home of one of Scotland's most celebrated writers will get under way next year thanks to a £4.85 million National Lottery grant. A complete restoration of Sir Walter Scott's Borders bolthole at Abbotsford, near Melrose, and the creation of a new visitor centre in its grounds have been backed by the Heritage Lottery Fund.

The project — spearheaded by a trust set up four years ago to take over the running of the 19th century baronial mansion — has now raised £9m towards a £10m fundraising target, after previous backing was secured from the Scottish Government and Scottish Borders Council. The future of Abbotsford House, which is home to a huge archive of Scott's work and literary collection, was thrown into doubt when the last of his descendants, Dame Jean Maxwell-Stuart, died in 2004.

An array of "architectural treasures" has been unearthed as the former home of Sir Walter Scott in the Scottish Borders undergoes a major overhaul. Decorated floors, an ancient well and a private gas works are among the items discovered at Abbotsford House. Curator Matthew Withey said they had expected the renovations would "yield some fascinating finds".

The main house is closed to the public until next year but a new visitor centre is due to open this summer. Kelso company M&J Ballantyne is currently carrying out the conservation and refurbishment works on the estate which Scott bought a little more than 200 years ago. It will see many of its famous rooms restored, new offices and an education suite developed as well as converting a wing of the house into visitor accommodation.

Updated renovation plans for Abbotsford House, the former home of Sir Walter Scott, have been approved by Scottish Borders Council. The Abbotsford Trust can now carry out major internal and external modifications to the site near Melrose. They include the relocation of toilets, the kitchen and external stairways.

The approval also allows the trust to add a glass porch area to the front door in a bid to protect many of the artefacts stored at the entrance. Work is currently under way on a major overhaul of the historic property, with a new visitor centre due to open on site later this year. It is hoped the entire building will reopen after the £10m overhaul in 2013.

The opening date has been set for a new visitor centre at Sir Walter Scott's former home in the Borders. The facility at Abbotsford House will open on 20 August - allowing the public to follow in the footsteps of the likes of Charles Dickens.

The centre contains an "interpretation area" charting Scott's life, influences and literary and cultural legacy. It will also include objects, books and works of art - many of which will be on display for the first time. Among the items going on show are old visitors books, which including names such as Dickens, Oscar Wilde, Charlotte Bronte and former US President Ulysses S Grant.

Abbotsford Trust chief executive Jason Dyer said: "We're looking forward to telling Scott's story in a modern and dynamic way which we hope will encourage new audiences to learn about the man, his work and his immense cultural and literary legacy, both in Scotland and around the globe."

The visitor centre is part of a multi-million pound overhaul of the property which is currently under way. The main house is currently being refurbished and is scheduled to reopen next year.

ONE of the country’s leading academics says a £14.5 million new visitor centre will reflect the global stature of one of Scotland’s greatest novelists. 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.

Visitor numbers have exceeded expectation in the first two weeks of opening at the upgraded facilities at Sir Walter Scott's former home. More than 2,000 people have been to see the new visitor centre at Abbotsford House near Melrose. Abbotsford Trust chief executive Jason Dyer said the response from the public had been "fantastic". The main house is currently being refurbished and is scheduled to reopen next year.

Mr Dyer said: "Visitors have told us that they have learned a great deal about Scott and his significance that they hadn't previously appreciated, which is one of the main aims of this beautiful new building and its exhibition on Scott's life and legacy. We're delighted with this extremely impressive start for the visitor centre."