Bad weather blamed for £60,000 losses at former home of Sir Walter Scott

Increased maintenance costs at Abbotsford House in the Borders during the winter months added greatly to overall losses of £62,566 for 2018.Plummeting temperatures and heavy snowfall in December and January resulted in burst pipes and snow plough fees.It's understood that fewer people using Abbotsford House as a wedding and event venue also impacted on the fiscal performance of the estate.However, the Abbotsford Trust, which manages the 200-year-old estate, says an increase in visitor numbers and a rise in donations this year have helped improve the charity's finances.