Hawick Museum
Free museum in an 18th-century mansion in Wilton Lodge Park, with local history, Egyptology, motorcycling heroes and art galleries.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
Hawick Museum is housed in Wilton Lodge, an eighteenth-century mansion standing in Wilton Lodge Park beside the River Teviot. The house became the town’s museum in 1910, which makes it the oldest museum in the Scottish Borders. Today it is run by Live Borders, the cultural trust for the region.
The permanent displays range widely across the town’s past. They include material on Ancient Egypt and archaeology, Victorian life, an old schoolroom and a War Memorial Room that uses objects and audio-visual presentations to show Hawick in times of conflict. Two exhibitions honour the motorcycle racers Jimmie Guthrie and Steve Hislop, both linked with the town.
The museum also has the Scott Gallery and the Waterfall Gallery, where changing art, educational and local-interest exhibitions are held.
Highlights
- Ancient Egypt, archaeology and Victorian life displays
- War Memorial Room with objects and audio-visual material
- Exhibitions on motorcycle racers Jimmie Guthrie and Steve Hislop
- Old schoolroom and interactive Park Gallery
- Oldest museum in the Scottish Borders, in a park setting
Permanent exhibitions
- Jimmie Guthrie and Steve Hislop – Permanent exhibitions on the two motorcycle racers, including a short film about Jimmie Guthrie.
- War Memorial Room – Objects and audio-visual presentations about Hawick during times of conflict.
- Ancient Egypt, archaeology and Victorian life – Permanent displays on Egyptian antiquities, local archaeology and everyday Victorian life, with an old schoolroom and the interactive Park Gallery.
- Founded
- 1910
- Operated by
- Live Borders
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
Entry is free; donations are welcome. Tickets can be booked online.
Accessibility
- Partially wheelchair accessible
- Elevator
- Accessible restroom
- Accessible parking
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The ground floor is partly accessible and there is lift access to the Scott Gallery. Much of the upper floor is not reachable for visitors with mobility impairments because the building is an 18th-century mansion; a touchscreen digital tour of the permanent displays is available on the ground floor. There is an accessible toilet with baby changing, a hearing loop at the welcome desk and four Blue Badge spaces outside the museum. A visual guide and an access statement help visitors plan, and the Quiet Wonders mornings offer a calmer, sensory-considerate visit.
Kids & families
- Stroller-friendly
- Baby changing facilities
Buggies are welcome and baby changing is in the ground-floor accessible toilet.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
A public transport stop is about a 10-minute walk away; Traveline Scotland offers journey planning.
By car
Free parking · 3-min walk to the entrance
Free parking is about a 3-minute walk from the museum. Four Blue Badge spaces are directly outside, and a small car park for disabled drivers is at the bottom of Top Drive off Wilton Park Road.
- Accessible parking
Amenities & dining
- Museum shop
- Wi-Fi
Free Wi-Fi. Ground-floor gift shop selling souvenirs, books, gifts and toys. Toilets and bike racks are available.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Workshops run through the year. Group visits and tours can be arranged on request, and coach tours and educational visits are welcome. |
