Heriot-Watt University was founded in 1821 as the School of Arts, the world's first Mechanics Institute. The Archive and Museum Service holds the archive, works of art and objects relating to the University's history.

The collections also include local history material relating to Currie, Juniper Green and Balerno.

The Textile Collection at the Scottish Borders Campus in Galashiels is a research resource relating to the Scottish textile industry.