World-class exhibitions in the Lands of the Border Reiver

Welcome to the Borderlands Museum webpage.

The Borderlands Museum hosts a unique collection of privately owned artefacts, and is a shrine to the Borderlands and its people. Arrangements can be made to visit the collection, which represents a frontier, a landscape and its people from the Iron Age through to the age of the Border Reivers and beyond...

An audio visual guide is now available, an allowance of an hour and a half is advised for a visit.

For a bespoke experience curator-led visits are also available to book by appointment.

Entrance is by advance booking, and is £25 per person, with all contributions going to the running and further development of the Museum.

Please get in touch with any special requests.

The Museum receives no funding or official support. The generosity of friends and patrons have made this venture possible by allowing the custodianship of artefacts, many highly important, which have never been on display publicly before.

A focus on Mary Queen of Scots.

The long term loan of Mary's prayer chair and related artefacts have been secured, this is the first time it has been on public display – returning to Scotland in 2024 for the first time in over 400 years.

Tour times are available as below, Monday to Saturday (closed Sunday)

10am – 11am

11.30am – 12.30am

1.30pm – 2.30pm

3pm – 4pm

4.30pm – 5.30pm

Terms of entry to the Museum

Loan agreements require the basic security that proof of identity be shown (a passport or driving licence)

This can be provided individually, or represented by a group leader, in advance, or at point of entry.

There are also restrictions on photography.

24-hour recorded CCTV is also in operation, including vehicle registration, with your rights protected under the Data Protection Act.

We look forward to welcoming you to the Borderlands Museum!

History of the Museum

From 1986 to 1998 Teviothead was home to The Museum of Border Arms and Armour, the iconic museum of the 16th century Border Reiver.

From 1998 to 2020 exhibitions of historic artefacts and folk-art have been displayed yearly, alongside our goldsmithing, changing annually.

Following refurbishment of the adjoining property, from 2020 to 2023, the new Borderlands Museum has been running by appointment for guided tours.

Burgonet and almain collar c.1560

The "Douglas" sword
Early 14th century

Mary Queen of Scots personal devotional chair