Kenny Paterson asked opinions on the centre’s second day
Jill O’Brien, of Darnick, with children Mollie and Brodie, said: “I came to Abbotsford years ago, but we saw the visitor centre was opening this week so thought we would pop in and have a look.
“We are quite impressed and the building looks great. I think it will get busier once the house opens. I don’t think many tourists will travel far distances without the house being open.”
Elizabeth Fraser, from Galashiels, said: “I think it is lovely. I have been in both Monday and Tuesday. They have done very well, but I just hope they get enough visitors throughout the year to make it viable.
“It is a big improvement. The old car park on the other side of the road was lethal and I used to really hestiate coming out of there with the old people crossing the road.
“It is also on the Borders Abbey Way which means it will be lovely for walkers to pop in for a coffee.”
Catherine Hamilton, from Galashiels, said: “It will be a lovely place to bring friends to visit for a meal. I am sure it will draw people into the surrounding towns and villages.
“Abbotsford House’s opening will be a big attraction, but there are already a lot of people here today, which is very encouraging.”
Godfrey and Rosamund Crofts, from Derbyshire, were on holiday in Kelso.
Godfrey said: “We saw an article in a national newspaper about the opening and decided to come round. The visitor centre is lovely, really good. I am not a big Walter Scott fan, but have heard of him.
“It is a shame the house is not open, but hopefully we can come and see that next time. We lived in Scotland a few years ago and still are very interested in all things Scottish.”
Rosamund told us: “This is the best facility we have been to in the Borders. Although I am not a Scott fan, the centre is very interesting.”