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Forum:	Individual Castles
Topic:	Borthwick Castle!!

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T O P I C R E V I E W
borthwick I am related to the Borthwick family (my grandma is a Borthwick), and I'm wondering if anyone has connections to the family or the castle. Thanks!!
wurdsmiff The surname stems from the old barony of the same name, alongside the Borthwick Water, in what was once Roxburghshire. The first mention of the surname is recorded in 1368,when Thomas de Borthwick witnessed a charter, though no doubt it originated earlier.
The castle itself is splendidly preserved, and still privately owned - operating as a hotel.
It is a U-plan keep of five storeys, with wings of seven and eight storeys . It has extremely thick walls, and a machicolated parapet with open rounds at the corners. It has a stone flagged roof, and stands within a courtyard. Once there was a curtain wall, though only a portion and one of the corner towers remain.
The main entrance is still on the first floor, though in most properties this defensive feature has been altered, and access still gained by a drawbridge from the curtain wall. There is a vaulted hall on the first floor of the main block, with a minstrels gallery.
The castle dates from 1430, when it was built by Sir William Borthwick, and it has a long and eventful history, and a few ghosts.
The family also owned the castles of Catcune, Colmslie, Crookston Old House, Dundarg, Langshaw, Newbyres, Pilmuir, Pittarthie, and Ravenstone.
Further details can be found on each of these in The Castles of Scotland, Second ed. By Martin Coventry, pub Goblinshead, 1997. ( There will be a third ed out this summer)
Go To http://www.scotland2000.com/weeguides/castles/20.htm
And http://www.celticcastles.com/castles/borthwic/index.html

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[This message has been edited by wurdsmiff (edited 02-20-2000).]
PhoenixMoon Greetings! I realize you posted along time ago, and can only hope you will get an email notification on this reply.
One of my friends is a Borthwick, and she mentioned some time ago about a Borthwick castle.
I haven't seen her since we both graduated highschool, but her parents still live in the area. (Rye, Co, USA)
Just thought I'd let you know.
JBorthwick Hi My name is Jaclyn Borthwick. My grandfather I was told was a direct decendant from the first Lord Borthwick. He had a code or coat of arms to proove it and one of the first original brochures. I really can't get into anymore cause I have no other real proof to back me up, just a family heritage to be damn proud of.
dcdragonfly Does anyone have or know of the Borthwick's in Amerca book published in 1939? I has a comprehensive, though not always correct listing of all american Borthwicks up to that date as descended from George Borthwick the 6th son of the current lord in the mid 1700's. I have a photocopy of the book, but have always wanted a hard cover copy. Also have it on disk.
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dcdragonfly
GuyinScotland hey I am taking an Architecture class in Edinburgh, I was planning on taking a trip down to Borthwick on my bike in a day or two to collect some info for a paper I'm writing about the castle's contribution to the development of the tower house... I've been doing a bit of research on the house but I can't find all that much on it... Its strange because it doesn't really conform with the definition of a tower house... being U shaped instead of L or Z... but thats probably because it was built more than 100 years before the tower houses were... so anyway any info you want to give, especially books you suggest on the topic would be appreciated.
thanks