Abbotsford House

Melrose, Scottish Borders

Originally built as a villa in 1817, but added to in the next eight years into a large turreted mansion, the construction of Abbotsford was completely financed from the proceeds of Sir Walter Scott's novels. However Sir Walter overspent in the building of this magnificent house and was forced to leave in 1825 for a short period. By 1830 he had satisfied his creditors and was able to return to his beloved Abbotsford. He died there on 21st September, 1832, in his favourite room with a beautiful view of the River Tweed through his window.
In 1818, during the first of many alterations, Sir Walter reported "a violent noise, like the drawing of heavy boards along the new part of the house". The following night he heard the same noise again at exactly the same time - 2 am. Arming himself with his favourite sword "Beardies' Broadsword", he made a thorough search of the rooms but could find nothing that could account for the strange sounds.

He was later to learn that at 2 am on the first morning that he had heard the noises, George Bullock, his agent, the man responsible for much of the original building of Abbotsford, had died suddenly.