BORTHWICK CASTLE, MIDLOTHIAN, SCOTLAND

These photos were taken in May 1992, when the UK had the loveliest May weather for over 100 years. The castle is amazing. Its description and history can be found in various history books and travel brochures.

Borthwick Castle is now a hotel and a good deal of information about it can be found on the internet also. It is a relatively expensive hotel but, according to those who have stayed there, a very interesting & memorable experience. Almost all Borthwicks in the world seem to believe that they are related to the "Borthwicks of Borthwick Castle"! I have some doubts about this. Although there have been many descendants of the various Lords Borthwick I suspect that other families took the name Borthwick because they lived in the area that became known as Borthwick, or perhaps because they worked for the Borthwicks of the castle. Members of my own family & many Borthwicks I've met via the internet have visited the castle, and quite a few of those have stayed there. All have loved the experience and all have been made feel very welcome. I wonder how many Borthwicks from all over the world have knocked on the door of that castle over the past 50 years or so!

We didn't knock but we took some photos.

Following these two pages of photos is a painting of Borthwick Castle done by artist Thomas Williams, husband of a Borthwick/Borthick family member, Earlia Faye Williams of Nashville, Tennessee in the USA. With his permission it is posted here for all to enjoy. Tom owns the copyright of this painting.

I love this bit of history from Midlothian on line:
"The early Borthwicks were warriors, and legend has it that their prisoners were invited to jump the 12ft gap between the 100ft-high towers with their hands tied behind their backs. Those who succeeded were granted their liberty – presumably those who failed were beyond needing it."

The Borthwicks had just two conditions: the prisoner had to start from a standing position, and his hands had to be manacled behind his back.

Next page of photos.