Borders Collections Online
Search the Scottish Borders Archive Catalogue
Borders Collections Online is your gateway into the collections held across Scottish Borders Museums, Galleries and Archive services, managed by Live Borders.
It brings together thousands of records in one place, helping you discover what’s held and where; whether you’re planning a visit, carrying out research, or exploring a personal interest in the history of the Borders.
Explore the Collections
Borders Collections Online helps you take a first step into the collections before you arrive. It allows you to explore what’s available, narrow down your search, and identify material that may be useful for your research.
You can:
- Search collections by keyword, subject or reference number
- Explore records connected to people, places and topics
- Identify items held within the Scottish Borders Archive and related collections
Each record includes a description of the material and, in some cases, images to give you a clearer sense of what is available.
Borders Collections Online is a catalogue. It shows what is held, but full access to records is provided separately through the archive and associated services.
What’s Included
The catalogue currently includes over 150,000 items from across the Scottish Borders.
These range from archive collections and historical records to artworks, artefacts, printed books and local studies material. Together, they reflect the people, industries and communities that have shaped the Borders over time.
Family History and Genealogy
Borders Collections Online is often where family history research begins.
You can search for names, places and historical references to identify records that may be relevant to your research. Once identified, these can be accessed through the Scottish Borders Archive, alongside services such as Scotland’s People.
Learn more about family history and genealogy research at the Scottish Borders Archive.
Start Your Search
Begin exploring the collections and uncover what’s held across the Scottish Borders:
Additional Research Resources
You may also find the following resources useful when researching Scottish Borders history and records:
Need Help?
If you’re not sure where to start, or need help identifying records, archive staff are here to help.
Email: collections@liveborders1.org.uk
