Meet Leanne, Marketing Manager at Abbotsford.
“Can you tell us who you are, your role here, and your connection to Galashiels?”
My name is Leanne and I am the Marketing Manager at The Abbotsford Trust. I spent my childhood in Galashiels, growing up in the town. After moving away following high school, I returned a few years ago, and it is once again the place I call home.
I started working at Abbotsford four years ago after moving back to Galashiels during Covid, having previously worked in marketing in London. Like many people at that time, I decided to make a career change and moved into film and TV. Although it was an exciting role, it was based in Glasgow, and I quickly realised I wanted to be back in the Borders. Abbotsford was somewhere I knew well from walking my dog growing up, although like many locals I had never actually been inside. It felt both familiar and new. I still remember walking into the entrance hall before my interview. It immediately felt like a very special place.
“What’s your favourite part of what you do?”
There are many things I love about working at Abbotsford. I get to promote a beautiful part of the Scottish Borders to visitors from around the world, and it is always lovely to hear how much the place means to people when they arrive. I also feel very lucky to work in such a beautiful environment every day, very different from the office buildings I previously worked in. Most importantly, it is rewarding to work for a charity that helps keep the stories of Walter Scottalive.
“As someone from Galashiels, what does it mean to you to be sharing Abbotsford with visitors?”
I did not know much about Abbotsford or Scott before starting here, and even after four years I am still learning. He was a fascinating figure who helped shape how Scotland is viewed around the world today. Abbotsford was his “Palace of Imagination”, a home he designed with great care, and I am proud to help share both his story and his home with visitors every day.
“What’s something about Abbotsford that people might not realise until they visit?”
Many visitors are surprised by how much there is to discover beyond Scott’s writing. One of the stories I find particularly interesting is that he was also a forester, planting thousands of trees across his estate, many of which still remain today. He understood the importance of nature and mindfulness, and ensured the estate was open for people to enjoy, something The Abbotsford Trust continues today.
“And finally, what does Abbotsford mean to you personally?”
Abbotsford is more than just my workplace. It is part of the landscape I grew up around, and a place I once saw as full of mystery and imagination. Getting to know both the house and the man behind it has been a real privilege. I feel proud to represent Abbotsford and Scott, especially as someone from the town he chose as his home. I would encourage anyone visiting to take the time to discover his story. You may be surprised by just how much there is to find.
Stories like Leanne’s are what bring places like Abbotsford to life, connecting past and present through the people who care for it today.
