A gorgeous few days in the Borders
Three trips down to Abbotsford in a fortnight and I wish I could have made more.
The once home of 19th century novelist Sir Walter Scott is a wonderful place, not huge but perfectly complete with everything you would want from a historical attraction in the Scottish countryside. Ideal to sketch too with stunning views, so many of them and historical facts and interesting objects that will take an age to look through.
My first (and second and third) visit to Abbotsford was to meet up with a group from the US who had hired me to run a workshop in the beautifully manicured gardens. I was fortunate to have time to do a tour of the house too and this gave me a little insight into the famous novelist and this picturesque part of the country.
Below are a few photos but there were many more. I would happily take up residency as their on site sketcher, if such a position ever exists!!
The artist retreat was run by Amanda Edwards, an extremely talented mosaic artist from Maine in the United States. She was absolutely lovely and so accomodating, you can find out more about her work and artist retreats via the link below.
