The George and Abbotsford Hotel

The hotel occupies a site which has been used for well over 300 years, the first indication being in a Charter from 1667 when the property belonged to John Leithhead.

Various names for the Inn are mentioned though the 1750s and 1760s but it became the George Inn when it was owned by David Kyle. It was during this period that the Inn became famous as Kyle was a colourful personality and he was included in the introduction to the Waverley Novel by the author Sir Walter Scott, who called him ‘mine host’.

Sir Walter Scott stayed at the Inn in 1803 when he accompanied the poet William Wordsworth and his sister. This was before his home, Abbotsford House, was built. The size of the Inn in those days can be judged from the fact that Scott and Wordsworth had to share a room, the landlady refusing to make arrangments until she had Sir Walter’s agreement.

‘Sir Walter Scott stayed at the Inn in 1803 when he accompanied the poet William Wordsworth and his sister.’

The word Abbotsford in the present name obviously owes its inclusion to Sir Walter Scott’s connection although it is not clear when this was first used, with the earliest mention being for the George and Abbotsford Hotel Company in 1876. Today the lounge is a relaxing and comfortable environment to take tea, coffee, a snack or light meal, or just enjoy a drink from the bar.

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