Abbotsford Fundraising Evening

Charlie Sherwood, COSCA Executive Committee, February 2026

On Thursday, February 12th a fundraising evening was held to benefit Abbotsford, Sir Walter Scott’s home in the Borders at an elegant apartment in New York City’s Westside. Approximately forty attendees were present to hear the special guests: Clan Scout Chief, the Duke of Buccleuch, the Executive Director of the Abbotsford Trust, Giles Ingram, and Professor Caroline McCracken-Flesher, a preeminent Walter Scott Scholar from the University of Wyoming.

Duke Richard started off the formal presentation talking about the importance of Sir Walter Scott both to Scotland and to the world. Scott was a literary superstar and was published in various languages during his lifetime. His monument is an important landmark in Edinburgh, situated next to the main rail station, Waverley, named after his first historical novel. Equally important. Scott was a model of what a responsible citizen of the world should be, befriending and encouraging many, and being active in the affairs of the time. Scott is credited with commencing tourism in Scotland and saving the Scottish banking system.

When Scott’s publisher went bankrupt, Scott assumed the debt and was able to settle it by the end of his life. Professor Caroline picked up the story and discussed how Abbotsford and Scott welcomed visitors to the home. Both prominent and common visitors, including a number of Americans, called at Abbotsford, Washinton Irving, being a notable one. After his death, visitors continued to journey to Abbotsford. The guest registry includes signatures of Americans: Samuel Clemens (Mark Twain), Admiral Farragut, Ulysses S.

Grant, and Jefferson Davis. The model of Abbottsford as a gathering place was adopted and adapted by many of the visiting American authors. Their homes, including Mark Twain’s home and Harriet Beecher Stowe’s home, both in Hartford, Connecticut, are prime examples. Giles Ingram made remarks about Abbotsford and its restoration and its present spot as both a museum and its continuing place as a venue for enlightenment and study. He pointed out the House, the Visitor’s Centre, the luxury accommodations, the Gardens and the recently added Witch’s Corner and Story Trail with its many wooden sculptures, designed to delight the young, and young at heart. Naoma Tate and Donna Shinderman organized the event. Among the benefactors attending were members of numerous prominent New York families. Duke Richard concluded the evening with a brief reading from Scott’s Lady of the Lake.

For more information about Abbotsford visit Abbotsford - The Home of Sir Walter Scott and to donate to Abbotsford’s mission visit  www.chapel-yorkusfoundation.org/donate/ and searching for ‘The Abbotsford Trust’