A garden designer from Kent has been appointed to oversee the next stage of development at Sir Walter Scott’s world famous Abbotsford home.
The Abbotsford Trust, which looks after Sir Walter Scott’s historic baronial former home near Melrose, this week named Pippa Coles as Gardens Development Manager.
Ms Coles, who now lives in Kelso, has a background in archeology and contemporary art, and ran her own garden design business for a number of years, undertaking full garden redesign, as well as advising on layout and planting.
Following the successful restoration of the house, the gardens are a priority area for the next stage of development in the £10million project to save Abbotsford for future generations.
The trust says Ms Coles will lead the improvement of the gardens using her horticultural expertise to emphasis the part they play within the spirit of Abbotsford.
Ms Coles explained she has a particular interest in “amplifying the sense of place and reflecting the historic importance of the site”.
The main focus of the garden team in 2014 will be food production in the walled gardens, as well as planting displays and flowers for cutting. A new feature will be all 27 heritage apple varieties from Scotland planted in the walled garden.
Trust deputy chief executive, Beverley Rutherford, said: “The gardens and estate were integral to Scott’s vision for Abbotsford, so we’re delighted to welcome Pippa to the team with her fresh ideas and expertise.”