Visitors have flocked to the re-vamped Abbotsford House after it was given the royal seal of approval two months ago.
Since the July 3 opening by the Queen, almost 25,000 have crossed its threshold.
An additional 21,000 toured the gardens and used the year-old visitor centre while restoration of prolific writer and sheriff, Sir Walter Scott’s home was under way.
Sixty per cent of the 46,000 visitors were from Scotland and England, 30 per cent from elsewhere in Europe; five per cent from the USA and five per cent from elsewhere – including China and India.
Chief executive of the Abbotsford Trust Jason Dyers said they were delighted that the transformed Abbotsford had rekindled an interest in Scott.
He commented: “While we have always believed in the potential of Abbotsford and Sir Walter to attract visitors, these numbers have surpassed our expectations and it is heartening to see people from so many different countries, including the emerging markets of India and China, being drawn to this special place. We are extremely pleased that this new chapter in Abbotsford’s life has been so warmly welcomed, bringing new people to enjoy not just Abbotsford but, we hope, towns and other attractions in the area.”
More than £12million was spent on the project and another £2.5million is needed to secure the running costs.
Scott was born in Edinburgh in 1771, died at Abbotsford in 1832, and is buried at nearby Dryburgh Abbey.