Sir Walter Scott's Abbotsford House renovation plans approved

Work is currently underway on a major overhaul of the historic property in the Borders

Updated renovation plans for Abbotsford House, the former home of Sir Walter Scott, have been approved by Scottish Borders Council.

The Abbotsford Trust can now carry out major internal and external modifications to the site near Melrose.

They include the relocation of toilets, the kitchen and external stairways.

The approval also allows the trust to add a glass porch area to the front door in a bid to protect many of the artefacts stored at the entrance.

Work is currently under way on a major overhaul of the historic property, with a new visitor centre due to open on site later this year.

It is hoped the entire building will reopen after the £10m overhaul in 2013.