Borthwick Castle

Borthwick Castle is a well-preserved medieval Scottish fortification located 12 miles southeast of Edinburgh. It was built in 1430 by Sir William Borthwick, who obtained a license to build the castle from King James I. The castle was built on the site of an earlier structure and remains the Borthwick family’s ancestral seat. It was originally a stone enclosure fortress with an unusually tall tower house, surrounded by defensive walls and towers. Mary, Queen of Scots visited the castle in the 16th century and was briefly besieged there with her husband James Hepburn, 4th Earl of Bothwell. In 1650, the castle was attacked by Oliver Cromwell’s forces and was later restored and used as a hiding place during World War II. It is currently an exclusive hire venue.