IN the entrance hall at Abbotsford two full body suits of 15th-century armour battle for space with a couple of highly prized breast and back plates worn by French soldiers defeated in the Battle of Waterloo.

On a nearby wall in the historic Borders mansion covered with weapons from the past, Rob Roy's sword, dirk and sporran are also displayed.

The man who amassed this incredible collection of war paraphernalia was a celebrity in his own lifetime. His face adorns modern-day banknotes and names linked to him have been adopted at places across the land.

But walking around the dream home which he built in the early 1800s few visitors today would have much prior knowledge of the man behind the building.

In the Chinese Drawing Room, where a large painting by Raeburn of the owner and his dog resides above the mantelpiece, Abbotsford expert Jacquie Wright expands on his character: "He loved dogs, and shooting and hunting. He had a joy for life and he loved people. He entertained all the time and treated his servants well."

Stepping into the library, clues about what inspired and interested this still-famous man can be seen in the ceiling, which he had designed to replicate the intricate features of Rosslyn Chapel outside Edinburgh.

The walls are lined with thousands of leatherbound books on subjects ranging from demonology to planting, testament to his great thirst for knowledge. In the centre of the room, next to a vast copy of the Bible, is a first edition of the Lady of the Lake by Sir Walter Scott.

It is displayed on a wooden desk carved for the author by a local craftsman.

For this is Sir Walter's home, and while many people have heard of him and his works, few realise the extent of his poetry and prose - or his wide-ranging interests and ideas.

Yesterday, a new campaign was launched to transform Abbotsford into an internationally renowned visitor and study centre, putting Sir Walter back in his rightful place as one of the country's most important writers.

Trustees - acting on the will of the last direct descendant of Sir Walter, Dame Jean Maxwell-Scott, who died in 2004 - say they need to raise £10m to secure the future of the property.

The chairman of the new Abbotsford Trust, Lord Sanderson of Bowen, said: "It is hard to overestimate the influence of Sir Walter Scott in so many areas of our lives here in Scotland.

"From his image on so many of our banknotes and the names of his novels and literary characters taking pride of place on our streets and buildings such as Waverley Station after Sir Walter's Waverley novels, to the popularity of tartan as a symbol of our national identity, Scott and his works are a vitally important part of Scotland's cultural heritage."

He added: "We believe that with the improvements we hope to put in place, Abbotsford can become a world-class visitor attraction, at the same time saving its buildings, lands and contents for the nation."

As the home of the man credited with founding the Romantic movement, changing world literature forever with his novel Waverley, based on the Jacobite rising in 1745-6, Abbotsford already attracts around 30,000 visitors a year.

At first glance the property, just outside Melrose, which was first opened to the public just five months after Sir Walter's death, appears in pretty good shape. But a closer look reveals problems which trustees warn could see the loss of this rich and unique heritage for future generations if left unresolved.

Standing in the library, Ms Wright, newly appointed company secretary and executive manager to the trust, points out some of the issues.

"In the winter the place is closed and it is dark and cold in here which probably helps to keep the books in good condition. We have no air conditioning, though, which is one of the improvements we would like to make," she says.

In the entrance room near the spoils from Waterloo, which Sir Walter gathered personally from the battlefield following a lunch with his friend, the Duke of Wellington, the colourful stained glass windows are held together with sticky tape in places.

Downstairs in one of many rooms currently closed off to the public, boxes are scattered about filled with items which she has been helping to sort through ever since she began work at the house two-and-a-half years ago.

The ceilings are peeling, although next door a painter is hard at work in one of the rooms near a group of ladies learning to use a coffee machine for a new tearoom which is to open soon.

An initial application to the Heritage Lottery Fund is due to be submitted later this year, while grants of £90,000 have already been made by the fund and Scottish Enterprise Borders to finance feasibility studies and outline plans from a range of experts ahead of the bid.

As for what could be done, Lord Sanderson believes that the interpretation at the Battle of Culloden visitor centre is an ideal model for the kinds of developments they hope to bring in.

He also wants to see Scott's leading romantic historical works such as Ivanhoe, Waverley and Rob Roy televised in the same way that Jane Austen's novels are.

As for money, he is optimistic there are "plenty" of philanthropic Scots who will help match lottery cash, assuming it is granted.

Explaining the positive impact which an improved Abbotsford could have on the area, another member of the trust's board, Dame Jean's executor Andrew Douglas-Home, says: "We want this place to become a focal point for tourism in the Borders.

"It is perfectly placed and with new facilities including a new car park and a better interpretation of the story of Scott we could attract many more people."

One development which they hope will help their efforts is the backing of the government for a rail link between Edinburgh and the Borders. Scottish Borders Council is even considering naming the new line Abbotsford to highlight Sir Walter's importance and that of his home.

While the physical state of the property is a key issue, the trust hopes the new, improved centre will not only improve public knowledge about Sir Walter, but will also boost academic research.

Fellow trustee Richard Keen is Dean of the Faculty of Advocates, which is responsible for much of the contents of Abbotsford including Sir Walter's 9000-strong collection of rare volumes.

He says: "We would like to see Abbotsford become a centre for the study of Scott and his work. Academics from Edinburgh and Glasgow universities already come here. There is scope for inviting academics from America in the future, where there is tremendous support for Scott."

Old mortality: history of the man and his mansion