Museums in the Scottish Borders

Discover 420 million years of Scotland’s history, heritage, innovations and culture with the Great Tapestry of Scotland. You can also enjoy the globally transformational true stories of the stitchers who created the tapestry.

Visit the new Jim Clark Motorsport Museum and discover the incredible story of Jim Clark’s life and racing career with an exciting interactive museum experience. Jim Clark is widely regarded as one of the greatest racing drivers of all time, admired for his remarkable achievements and famous for his humility. He dominated world motor racing like no one before or since in all genres of motorsport, winning the Formula 1 World Championship in 1963 & 1965 and Indianapolis 500.

The Trimontium Museum tells the story of one of the largest Roman fort sites north of Hadrian's Wall and is the only museum in Scotland dedicated to the Roman and Iron Age era. On display, there are many of the treasures excavated from Trimontium over the last century, illustrating what life was like at the very edge of the Roman Empire.

Trimontium Museum tells the story of the Roman fort complex at nearby Newstead. Trimontium was a frontier post at the outer limits of the Roman Empire, and served as a base for further incursions to the north. Rediscovered and excavated in the early 20th century, it has produced some of the finest Roman artefacts ever found in Scotland and is also home to the most northerly amphitheatre - so far - found in the Empire. The Trimontium Museum has been newly renovated and re-opened in 2021 to tell the story of the frontier post and its people, and put some of the finds on public display.

Scotland's Only Museum dedicated to Roman and Iron Age Scotland

At Borders Textile Towerhouse visitors can discover the story of the region’s knitwear and tweed industries.

Displays of fashion, artefacts, photographs and film bring to life over 200 years of tradition and innovation in the local woollen industries. Spread over 3 floors (with a lift) this museum delves into the history of the textile industry in Hawick. Modern interpretation, hands-on displays and plenty for children to do including find the soft sheep toys. Part of the building forms the Drumlanrig Tower, the oldest building in Hawick. There's a wee shop inside too. Like so many museums across Scotland, it's free to enter and relies on your donations towards its upkeep.