Borthwick Castle

A medieval castle wedding near Edinburgh.

At a Glance

Venue Intelligence

North Middleton, Midlothian

A real castle, taken exclusively.

Borthwick Castle is a 15th-century medieval tower-house of about 1430, a twin-tower keep with fourteen-foot walls near Gorebridge in Midlothian, some twelve miles south of Edinburgh. A candlelit Great Hall, stone-vaulted chambers and 13 bedchambers sleeping 28, it is taken exclusively for a wedding within the very walls that sheltered Mary Queen of Scots.

Vows in a Candlelit Hall.

Couples marry in the candlelit Great Hall beneath suits of armour and iron chandeliers, or in the stone-vaulted Garrison room down a candlelit aisle, then dine by candlelight at long banquet tables against warm stone walls. Drinks and photographs move through the State Room lounge and the castle grounds against the floodlit towers, whisky and toasts carry the night on, and the whole party stays within the walls until morning.

Borthwick Castle

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Scottish Cooking by Candlelight.

Dining is by the castle's own award-winning kitchen, led by chef Craig Gibb, Scottish and modern British menus built on the season and served by candlelight in the Great Hall beneath suits of armour, with canapés and Champagne in the State Room lounge and whisky to carry the toasts through the night.

A Medieval Castle

A 15th-century tower-house of about 1430, a twin-tower keep with fourteen-foot walls near Edinburgh.

Taken Exclusively

The whole keep, its Great Hall and its chambers, for a single wedding party, per night.

A Queen's Refuge

The very castle that sheltered Mary Queen of Scots in 1567, standing almost unaltered today.

Scottish Cooking

Scottish and modern British menus by an award-winning kitchen, served by candlelight in the hall.

The Castle That Sheltered a Queen.

Borthwick is the real thing: a 15th-century keep that sheltered Mary Queen of Scots in 1567 and stands almost unaltered today, taken exclusively by a single wedding party. That is its magic. A wedding here is not staged in a hotel but lived inside a true castle, by candlelight and firelight, behind fourteen-foot walls, with the whole company staying the night within the same stones, one of the most atmospheric places in Britain to marry.

Accommodation

13 Bedchambers Sleeping 28, Within the Walls.

Luxury Wedding Directory

Editorial

Location

North Middleton, Midlothian

Borthwick Castle stands in parkland at North Middleton, near Gorebridge in Midlothian, just off the A7 and about twenty minutes south of Edinburgh. It is close enough to the city and its airport for guests to reach easily, yet set apart in the Midlothian countryside, so a wedding here is both a true castle in the country and an easy journey from Edinburgh and the Borders beyond.

Pricing and What to Expect

A medieval castle wedding near Edinburgh, taken exclusively.

Borthwick Castle is a 15th-century medieval tower-house of about 1430, a twin-tower keep with 14ft-thick walls and stone-vaulted interiors, set in parkland at North Middleton near Gorebridge in Midlothian, some twelve miles south of Edinburgh. Taken exclusively for a wedding, couples marry in the candlelit Great Hall or the stone-vaulted Garrison room, dine by candlelight beneath suits of armour, and gather in the State Room lounge, with 13 bedchambers sleeping 28 so the whole party stays within the walls that once sheltered Mary Queen of Scots. Exclusive use is priced from £11,000 per night; the LWD team makes the introduction.

All pricing is indicative. Final investment varies by date, guest count, menu, and bespoke requirements. Contact the venue directly for a tailored proposal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Borthwick Castle