[1] It is a traditional origin that the progenitor of Clan Borthwick was Andreas, a Livonian knight who accompanied the Saxon Edgar the Ætheling and his sister, Margaret, who was later queen and saint, to Scotland in 1067.

During the Anglo-Scottish Wars the Borthwicks fought on the side of King James IV of Scotland at the Battle of Flodden in 1513.

[1] John, Lord Borthwick was an opponent of the Reformation of the Church of Scotland and a supporter of Mary of Guise.

[1] An officer of the court, William Langlands, was dispatched to deliver the letters of excommunication to the curate of Borthwick.

[1] John's son, William, was a close friend and confidant of Mary, Queen of Scots.

[1] Robert Borthwick was the Master Gunner to James IV of Scotland in 1509 and is said to have cast seven great cannons which were called the Seven Sisters.

The fortress was spared destruction when Cromwell offered Lord Borthwick terms of surrender which he accepted.