Calls to name station after Scott

Scott spent his most prolific years, in writing terms, at Abbotsford House

An MSP has called for a railway station which will form part of the Borders rail link to be renamed in recognition of the area's link to Sir Walter Scott.

Christine Grahame, SNP MSP for the South of Scotland, said the proposed station, due to open in 2013, should be named Abbotsford instead of Tweedbank.

Scott spent his most prolific years, in writing terms, at Abbotsford House which is almost a mile from the site.

Ms Grahame said the move would also boost tourism in the area.

She said that while she had no problem with the station being called Tweedbank, her suggestion would carry more significance for tourists who visit Abbotsford House each year.

She said: "There is a great romantic link to Waverley line, and I think it would be very apposite for the station to be be called Abbotsford.

"There would be great tourist potential and very positive effect on the usage of the line.

"While Walter Scott has not been forgotten, he tends to be put in the shadow of Burns. He had a huge influence and it's time that he is noticed again."

Romantic link

Edinburgh's main station, Waverley, is named after the series of novels penned by Scott.

There used to be a station in the borders area called Abbotsford Ferry, over the Tweed from the house on the long-closed Selkirk branch line.

The decision over the name of the new station will ultimately be made by the Transport minister.

Work on the Edinburgh to Borders rail link is expected to begin in 2011 at the latest.