Clan Borthwick: A Legacy of Borthwick Castle, Leadership and Lowland Scottish Honour
Introduction
Clan Borthwick is a historic Lowland Scottish clan associated especially with Midlothian, Roxburghshire, Borthwick Castle, and the wider story of Scotland’s medieval nobility.
Unlike Highland clans whose stories are often shaped by glens, island strongholds and cattle raids, Clan Borthwick belongs to the world of Lowland lordship, castle building, royal service, heraldry, landholding and noble continuity.
The clan motto is:
“Qui Conducit”
“He who leads.”
The clan crest is commonly described as:
A Moor’s head couped, proper, wreathed argent and sable.
The clan’s historic seat is Borthwick Castle, one of the most impressive fortified residences in Scotland. Clan references identify John Hugh Borthwick of that Ilk, 24th Lord Borthwick, as chief of the clan and list Borthwick Castle as the historic seat.
This article explores the history, people, heritage, tartans, crest, motto, castle, noble line and modern legacy of Clan Borthwick.
Chapter I: Origins of Clan Borthwick
The name Borthwick is territorial in origin. It is connected with lands in the Scottish Borders and Lowlands, especially in the region of Roxburghshire and later Midlothian.
There are several traditions about the earliest origins of the family. One old account says that the first ancestor was Andreas Borthwick, who accompanied Edgar the Ætheling and his sister Margaret to Scotland in the 11th century. Margaret later became queen of Scotland through her marriage to Malcolm III Canmore.
Some traditions go even further back and suggest more ancient origins, but the safest historical interpretation is that Borthwick is a territorial Scottish surname that rose into prominence through landholding, royal service and noble status in medieval Scotland.
The clan’s identity became firmly established through the building of Borthwick Castle, the creation of the title Lord Borthwick, and the family’s role among the noble houses of Lowland Scotland.
Chapter II: Clan Territory and Ancestral Lands
Clan Borthwick’s historic associations include:
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Midlothian
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Roxburghshire
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The Scottish Borders
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Borthwick Castle
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The lands around Gorebridge
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Lowland Scotland
The clan’s most important historic seat is:
Borthwick Castle
Borthwick Castle stands in Midlothian, south-east of Edinburgh. It is one of Scotland’s most remarkable medieval tower houses and remains the greatest physical symbol of Clan Borthwick.
The First Lord Borthwick built the castle after rising to prominence in royal service. ScotClans describes the castle as one of Scotland’s most impressive fortified dwellings and notes that the first Lord Borthwick had been sent to England in 1425 as one of the substitute hostages for the ransom of King James I of Scotland.
Clan Borthwick therefore belongs to the Lowland world of castles, royal courts, titles, land charters and noble obligation.
Chapter III: Important People of Clan Borthwick
Andreas Borthwick
Andreas Borthwick is the traditional early ancestor of the clan. He is said to have come to Scotland with Edgar the Ætheling and Princess Margaret in the 11th century.
Whether every detail of this tradition can be proven or not, it places the Borthwick name within the great medieval story of Scotland’s royal and noble formation.
Sir William Borthwick
Sir William Borthwick is one of the most important figures in clan tradition. ScotlandShop recounts the story that in 1330, Sir William Borthwick was part of the group entrusted with taking Robert the Bruce’s heart toward the Holy Land. During the journey through Spain, the company was attacked by Moors, and Sir William was said to have killed the Moorish leader. This tradition is used to explain the Moor’s head in the Borthwick crest.
This story gives the clan crest a dramatic martial origin and links the Borthwicks to one of the most famous episodes in Scottish patriotic memory: the carrying of Bruce’s heart.
The First Lord Borthwick
The First Lord Borthwick was a major figure in the rise of the clan’s noble status. He was sent to England in 1425 as one of the substitute hostages for the ransom of James I of Scotland. He later built Borthwick Castle, one of the finest fortified residences in Scotland.
He died around 1458, and his tomb is in the old church of Borthwick.
The Lords Borthwick
The title Lord Borthwick became central to the clan’s identity. Through this peerage, the family became part of Scotland’s noble order and maintained a recognised place in the country’s heraldic and aristocratic tradition.
John Hugh Borthwick of that Ilk
Modern clan references identify John Hugh Borthwick of that Ilk as the 24th Lord Borthwick and chief of Clan Borthwick.
This gives Clan Borthwick a living chiefly identity rather than only a surname or armigerous tradition.
Chapter IV: Castles, Strongholds and Historic Sites
Borthwick Castle
Borthwick Castle is the great stronghold of Clan Borthwick.
Built in the 15th century, it is one of the most impressive medieval tower houses in Scotland. Its massive walls, twin towers and commanding presence make it a powerful symbol of Lowland noble authority.
The castle was built by the First Lord Borthwick, who had risen through royal service and was among the nobles involved in the ransom arrangements for James I.
Borthwick Castle is more than a defensive structure. It is the stone expression of the clan’s rise: leadership, royal trust, noble status and territorial permanence.
The Old Church of Borthwick
The old church of Borthwick is significant because the First Lord Borthwick’s tomb is located there.
This makes the church an important site of memory, burial and continuity for the clan.
Midlothian
The wider landscape of Midlothian shaped the Borthwick story. Close enough to Edinburgh to be connected with national politics, but rural enough for castle lordship, the area gave the family both strategic and social importance.
Roxburghshire
The Borthwick name is also associated with Roxburghshire, strengthening its connection to the Scottish Borders and Lowland territorial history.
Chapter V: Battles, Wars and Clan Events
Clan Borthwick is not remembered as a Highland raiding clan. Its history is better understood through royal service, noble obligation, crusading memory, castle building and Scottish political life.
Bruce’s Heart and the Journey to Spain — 1330
One of the most dramatic traditions connected with Clan Borthwick concerns Sir William Borthwick and the journey to carry Robert the Bruce’s heart toward the Holy Land.
According to clan tradition, the party was attacked in Spain, and Sir William Borthwick killed the Moorish leader. This story is used to explain why the clan crest displays a Moor’s head.
Whether treated as strict history or heroic tradition, the story gives Clan Borthwick a powerful link to Scotland’s Wars of Independence memory.
The Ransom of James I — 1425
The First Lord Borthwick was among the nobles sent to England as substitute hostages for the ransom of James I of Scotland in 1425.
This shows the family’s high status and trustworthiness in the eyes of the Scottish crown.
The Building of Borthwick Castle
The construction of Borthwick Castle was one of the defining events in the clan’s history. It gave the family a monumental seat and a lasting place in Scotland’s architectural heritage.
Noble Service and Lowland Power
Across the centuries, the Borthwicks were part of the Lowland noble world: attending courts, holding land, defending interests, arranging marriages, and maintaining their place among Scotland’s titled families.
Their history was not only battlefield history. It was the history of leadership, status and endurance.
Chapter VI: Clan Crest, Motto and Badge
Clan Crest
The Borthwick crest is commonly described as:
A Moor’s head couped, proper, wreathed argent and sable.
St Kilda Store gives the clan crest as “A moor’s head couped Proper wreathed Argent and Sable,” while ScotsConnection describes it as “a moor’s head, couped, proper.”
The crest is traditionally connected to the story of Sir William Borthwick and the expedition carrying Robert the Bruce’s heart, when he was said to have killed a Moorish leader in Spain.
Clan Motto
The clan motto is:
“Qui Conducit”
This means:
“He who leads.”
ScotlandShop and ScotsConnection both give the motto as Qui Conducit, translated as He who leads.
It is a fitting motto for Clan Borthwick. It speaks of command, guidance, nobility and responsibility.
Clan Badge
A consistently recorded plant badge for Clan Borthwick is not as widely established as those of some Highland clans.
For accuracy, the strongest Borthwick symbols are:
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The Moor’s head crest
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The motto “Qui Conducit”
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Borthwick Castle
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The Borthwick tartans
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The title Lord Borthwick
For a Lowland clan, heraldry, castle and title carry the symbolic weight that plant badges often carry in Highland clan tradition.
Chapter VII: Clan Tartans
Clan Borthwick has several tartans associated with the name.
Borthwick Tartan
The Borthwick tartan is recorded by the Scottish Register of Tartans under reference 316.
This is the main tartan associated with the clan and gives modern Borthwick descendants a visible symbol of identity.
Borthwick Hunting Tartan
The Borthwick Hunting tartan is also recorded by the Scottish Register of Tartans under reference 315.
Hunting tartans are often darker or more muted, traditionally suited to outdoor use and country wear.
Borthwick Dress Tartan
The Borthwick Dress tartan is recorded by the Scottish Register of Tartans under reference 317.
Dress tartans are commonly brighter or lighter and are often used for formal occasions, sashes, Highland dancing and ceremonial wear.
The Meaning of the Borthwick Tartan Today
For modern Borthwick descendants, the tartan represents:
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Lowland Scottish heritage
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Borthwick Castle
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The noble line of Lord Borthwick
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The motto “He who leads”
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Family pride
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Scottish diaspora connection
The tartan gives Clan Borthwick a modern visual identity while preserving a link to medieval Lowland Scotland.
Chapter VIII: Heritage, Identity and Clan Traditions
Clan Borthwick represents a powerful Lowland Scottish identity built on land, leadership, nobility and castle heritage.
Its story includes:
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A territorial surname
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Roxburghshire and Midlothian roots
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Borthwick Castle
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The title Lord Borthwick
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Royal service under James I
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The tradition of Bruce’s heart
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The Moor’s head crest
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The motto “Qui Conducit”
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Borthwick tartans
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A recognised chiefly line
Associated spellings and forms include:
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Borthwick
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Borthwicke
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Borthwick of that Ilk
The clan is a reminder that Scottish clan history is not only Highland history. The Lowlands also produced powerful clans, noble houses and ancient families whose stories shaped the nation.
Chapter IX: Clan Borthwick Today
Today, Clan Borthwick remains a recognised Scottish clan with a chiefly line.
Modern references identify John Hugh Borthwick of that Ilk, 24th Lord Borthwick, as the clan chief.
Modern Clan Borthwick identity can be found through:
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Family history research
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Tartan wearing
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Scottish heritage events
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Heraldry and peerage history
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Interest in Borthwick Castle
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Genealogy projects
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Lowland clan studies
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Diaspora communities across the world
The clan stands today as a symbol of leadership, noble continuity, Lowland heritage, castle memory and Scottish family pride.
Chapter X: Legacy of Clan Borthwick
The story of Clan Borthwick is one of Lowland Scotland’s great noble clan traditions.
It begins with territorial roots, grows through royal service, rises with the building of Borthwick Castle, and continues through the title Lord Borthwick.
Its crest, the Moor’s head, preserves a dramatic tradition linked to Sir William Borthwick and the carrying of Robert the Bruce’s heart.
Its motto gives the clan a clear voice:
Qui Conducit — He who leads.
That phrase captures the spirit of Clan Borthwick: leadership, responsibility, courage and status.
From Roxburghshire and Midlothian to descendants across the world, Clan Borthwick continues to carry its history forward.
Its legacy is written in stone, tartan, heraldry, noble title, family records and the pride of those who still honour the name.
Tartan Time Machine Closing Paragraph
At Tartan Time Machine, we bring Scotland’s past into the present by exploring the clans, castles, battles, kirkyards, legends and forgotten stories that shaped the nation.
Clan Borthwick is one chapter in that greater story — a story of Borthwick Castle, noble leadership, Bruce’s heart, tartans, heraldry and Lowland Scottish honour.
Discover more Scottish history, clan stories, castle features and heritage content at:
www.tartantimemachine.com