Peebles Library, Museum and Gallery
The museum and gallery in the Chambers Institution on Peebles High Street, closed for refurbishment from April 2026 until the end of 2027.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The museum and art gallery are part of the Chambers Institution on the High Street in Peebles, in the Scottish Borders. The building began as a 16th century town house, later known as the Queensberry Lodging. The publisher William Chambers, who came from the town, bought it in 1857 and remodelled it in the Scottish Baronial style to provide library, museum and gallery facilities for the people of Peebles. It opened on 8 August 1859.
A new range on the west side of the courtyard housed the museum and the art gallery, which holds portraits of William Chambers, Sir Walter Scott and others. In 1911 Andrew Carnegie paid for an extension that added more space for the library. A room opened in 1990 displays friezes given by William Chambers that reproduce parts of the Elgin Marbles and Thorvaldsen’s Triumph of Alexander. A John Buchan museum opened in the building in 2013.
The venue is run by Live Borders as the Peebles Library, Museum and Gallery. Its recent exhibitions included Tweeddale’s Treasure and one on Peebles railways. The whole venue is closed to the public for decant and refurbishment works from 13 April 2026 until the end of 2027.
Highlights
- Scottish Baronial Chambers Institution, founded in 1859
- Art gallery with portraits of William Chambers and Sir Walter Scott
- Friezes after the Elgin Marbles and Thorvaldsen
- John Buchan museum
- Local history of Tweeddale
- Operated by
- Live Borders (Scottish charity SC034227)
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
Admission was free, with a request for donations. Prices are not relevant while the venue is closed.
Accessibility
- Partially wheelchair accessible
- Elevator
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
Before the closure there was wheelchair access by lift to the library, the museum and the Chambers Rooms but no wheelchair access to the gallery, and only partial access to the first floor. Assistance dogs were welcome; other dogs were not.
Kids & families
Kids workshops were advertised on the museum page before the closure.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
The venue is on the High Street in the centre of Peebles; the operator describes it as accessible by public transport.
Amenities & dining
The museum is closed for refurbishment until the end of 2027.
Events & venue rental
The museum is closed for refurbishment until the end of 2027.
Plan your visit
| Good to know | Coach tours were welcome before the closure. |
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