Argyll and Bute Archive Service holds and preserves official records, not only those of Argyll and Bute Council, but also those which the Council inherited from Strathclyde Regional Council and Argyll and Bute District Council.

The Archive Service also provides accommodation for those derived from private individuals, estates, solicitors, businesses and organisations within the area of Argyll and Bute Council, records that are considered of historic interest and worthy of permanent preservation. These private records are often held on indefinite loan and remain the property of the person or institute depositing them.

The Archive Service houses school and education records, minutes of Argyll and Bute Council, estate and family records, Poor Relief records, maps and plans, Valuation Rolls, Electoral Registers, archival metreial relating to roads, ferries and transport in general, genealogical material including monumental Inscriptions, newspapers (including the Campbeltown Courier and the Argyllshire Herald (1851-1918)), business and solicitors' records, records of the Episcopal Diocese of Argyll and The Isles, records of the Argyll Federation of the SWRI, records relating to public health and housing, general information relating to the history of Argyll and Bute, and a useful reference library.