Clan Borthwick
Crest: A moor's head couped Proper wreathed Argent and Sable
Motto	Qui conducit ("He Who Leads")
Chief
John Hugh Borthwick of that Ilk
24th Lord Borthwick
Historic seat	Borthwick Castle

Clan Borthwick is a historic Scottish clan from Midlothian. Their heartland centers around Borthwick Castle, an impressive fortress that still stands today. Although they once held power and titles, the current holder of the clan chiefship is known as the Lord Borthwick.^[1]

The name Borthwick comes from the lands by the Borthwick Water in Roxburghshire. Early records mention a Thomas de Borthwick holding land near Lauder in the mid-1300s, and by 1378, the family had acquired lands in Midlothian under the name Borthwick.^[1]

Legend says the clan may trace back to Hungary and accompanied Queen Margaret (the Aetheling) to Scotland in the late 11th century. Others suggest a Roman connection, but most historians point to the medieval Scottish origins by the Borthwick Water.^[1]

In the early 1400s, Sir William Borthwick gained a charter of land and built Borthwick Castle in 1430. He later became the first Lord Borthwick in the Scottish Parliament. His descendants continued to play roles in national affairs for generations.^[1]

In 1513, the 4th Lord Borthwick died at the Battle of Flodden fighting alongside King James IV. The 5th Lord Borthwick played a key role in protecting the young James V and taking command of Stirling Castle. - The family supported the Royalist side during the 17th-century wars, and their castle was besieged—but spared—after Cromwell’s forces attacked.

Over time, the main line died out, and the title lay dormant. It was confirmed in later centuries—finally recognized formally in the 20th century by the appropriate heraldic court, and the chiefship was held by the Borthwicks of Crookston.^[1]

The clan crest shows a moor’s head, symbolizing a daring feat by an early ancestor. Their motto is Qui Conducit, meaning “He who leads”. The Borthwick tartan is recorded in the Scottish tartan register and reflects the clan’s long heritage.

Today, the Lord Borthwick—who also holds titles like “Chief of the Name and Arms of Borthwick”—remains the recognised head of the clan. Borthwick Castle remains their ancestral seat, now used as a venue, but still tied to the family’s history.^[2]

The clan legacy lives on in gatherings, heritage societies, and the striking symbol of their castle on the Scottish landscape.

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4} Way, George of Plean; Squire, Romilly of Rubislaw (1994). Collins Scottish Clan & Family Encyclopedia. Glasgow: HarperCollins (for the Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs). pp. 74–75. ISBN 0-00-470547-5.
2. ↑ "Burke's Peerage". burkespeerage.com. Retrieved 2025-08-11.