Exclusive-use 15th-century tower house · North Middleton, Midlothian
A medieval keep in the Midlothian countryside, taken on an exclusive-use basis, with twelve bedchambers that sleep 28 guests.
Borthwick Castle is a medieval keep in the Midlothian countryside, and a wedding here takes the whole castle on an exclusive-use basis. Guests arrive through an ancient arched gateway into a setting of thick stone walls and six centuries of Scottish history. Mary Queen of Scots famously leapt from a window of the castle, disguised as a page boy, to escape an army in hot pursuit. Oliver Cromwell and his troops were here during his Scottish campaign, and the eastern elevation still bears the scars of his cannons. Today the castle is a place of authentic style, and a wedding takes place within walls that carry that history.
Weddings are planned individually with a personal wedding coordinator, who helps at every step, whether the plan is a grand celebration, an intimate family wedding or something in between. On arrival the castle team greets guests warmly, and there is time to take in the surroundings with a glass of champagne and to meet new friends and old ones before the ceremony begins. With the castle given over to the wedding party, the day runs in one place, from arrival and the ceremony through to dining, dancing and the very best of Scottish hospitality, and the party stays on within the walls.
Borthwick Castle
Images courtesy of Borthwick Castle
Facts checked 5 October 2026
Ceremonies are held in the ceremony room, and an outdoor setting is also available, with indoor and outdoor licences listed for the castle. A ceremony takes up to 80 guests. Every bride is given a room in which to make her final preparations before her entrance into the ceremony room.
The Great Hall is the seated dinner space at the castle. Seated and buffet meal facilities are both available, which allows a formal wedding breakfast or a more relaxed buffet. The castle holds an alcohol licence, and corkage is permitted for drinks that couples bring themselves.
The castle has 12 bedchambers, sleeping up to 28 guests. Majestic fabrics and wooden furniture take guests back to a time when the Lords of Borthwick roamed the castle. Late in the evening, guests can settle in front of the fire with a wee dram before heading to bedrooms that the housekeeping team has prepared. The next morning begins at leisure with a full Scottish breakfast in the Great Hall, where the party can relive the highlights of the wedding day.
There are no set menus at Borthwick Castle. The catering team is led by an award-winning Head Chef and works alongside each couple to create a menu of seasonal dishes, planned around the wedding. Private catering is also allowed.
A 40-foot hall with a minstrels' gallery and open fireplace, seating up to 80.
The Great HallThe top floor of the castle, with stone walls, chandeliers and room for 80.
The Garrison
A separate suite in the grounds with a marble bath and a four-poster bed.
The GatehouseTwelve bedrooms for 26, three reception rooms and the walled lawn, booked as one.
Exclusive use
A self-contained suite refitted in 2016, with a log burner, an Italian marble roll-top bath, a walk-in shower and a copy of the marriage bed of Henry VII and Elizabeth of York.
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Mary's own room on her visits, with a canopied oak bed modelled on Stuart royal beds, two window alcoves, a medieval fireplace and a shower room in the wall.
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The castle's only full four-poster, a carved copy of the bed of James VI, with a bath and shower alcove behind velvet curtains.
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A high-ceilinged, oak-panelled room with the Borthwick crest carved into the bed, a bath and a separate shower.
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Individually decorated rooms reached by spiral stairs, from the high Sinclair room at the top of the south tower to the Wizard's Tower, the highest and most private room, reached only by a secret staircase. Several are twins, and most have log burners.
EnquireBuilt in 1911 and restored in the castle's style, with a double room, a twin room with carved bunk beds and a bathroom; suited to a family.
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Named a finalist for Wedding Venue Planner at the Your Scottish Wedding Awards 2024, per the castle's year-in-review post of January 2025; she also writes the castle's Borthwick Stories posts.
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Share a few details about your wedding at Borthwick Castle and your enquiry will be passed on to them. A reply cannot be promised, and no time can be given for it.
Borthwick Castle is at North Middleton, set in the countryside.
Borthwick Castle, North Middleton, Gorebridge, Midlothian EH23 4QY, Scotland, United Kingdom
Transfers. Private transfers from Edinburgh Airport and the city can be arranged by the castle.
Parking. Cars park in the courtyard inside the curtain wall.
Gorebridge (ScotRail) is the nearest station, about 1.8 miles from the venue in a straight line.
The chef’s team was absolutely phenomenal. We had 'highly' bespoke requests and fantasised about a Michelin-quality dinner for our wedding. They delivered, and then some.
Borthwick Castle seats up to 80 guests for dinner, in The Great Hall.
A ceremony at Borthwick Castle takes up to 80 guests.
Borthwick Castle can be taken for exclusive use, with 12 rooms included.
Borthwick Castle has 12 rooms, sleeping up to 28 guests on site.
Ask for a place, a name, a trade or the whole wedding. Every answer comes from checked records.
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