Archives & Local Studies @ The Heritage Hub
Welcome to the Scottish Borders Archive
The Archive is a key source for over 800 years of documents and publications on every aspect of life in the Scottish Borders from local government to textiles, sport, fishing and farming, schools, churches, clubs and societies, charities, and families.
The vast range of resources include minute books, accounts, diaries, oral histories, maps and plans, photographs, letterheads, correspondence, and local newspaper titles on microfilm – and many more.
Our Special Collections include:
- Sir Walter Scott (1771-1832) Scottish historical novelist, playwright and poet
- James Hogg (1770-1845) Scottish poet and novelist, widely known as the Ettrick Shepherd.
- Andrew Lang (1844-1912) Scottish poet, novelist and literary critic; including the Fairy Books
- Bill McLaren (1923-2010) Legendary rugby commentator
- Textile industry records including Peter Scott & Co, Pringles, Ballantynes, William Brown, Robert Noble, Reid and Taylor and many others.
- Internment Research Centre
Information about these resources can be found in our Online Catalogue.
To access family history at the Hub see ScotlandsPeople and Research Services
Come and visit us:
We love to receive visitors. Booking is essential and we ask for a list of any items from the online catalogue that you would like to view well in advance of your visit. If you need guidance please ask staff for advice and recommendations.
We are open every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 09:30-16:30.
To make an appointment please email collections@liveborders1.org.uk or call 01450 360699 during opening hours.
On your first visit to the archive, and annually thereafter, we will ask you to complete a User Registration Form and show photographic identification. You can complete this form in advance of your visit if you wish (download here) and either e-mail it to us or bring it with you, or you can complete the form upon arrival. Forms of acceptable photographic identification include your passport, bus pass, membership cards, or any other similar identification.
To protect the documents and for your own and archive staff safety, there are some rules that we ask you to observe during your visit. These will be displayed in the searchroom but can also be accessed here.
Find us at: Scottish Borders Archive, Heritage Hub, Kirkstile, Hawick, TD9 0AE
Please see our Accessibility Guide for information on accessibility to Scottish Borders Archive. We have also developed a Visual Guide to help prepare you for your visit.
