Borthwick Castle, one of the largest medieval castles in the country, is located in the south-east of Edinburgh (Scotland). The structure was built in 1430 and named after the Scottish peer and ambassador William Borthwick. The main building of the castle is a stone fortress with walls 4.3 meters thick. The height of the fortress was 34 meters. Construction began after the license was issued, which was atypical for Scotland, since nobles could build castles without obtaining a permit.
The castle, consisting of two high towers, is built on a low hill. There are no battlements on the towers, the tops are surrounded by protruding cornices. On the one hand, the wall is badly damaged – this is a trace from the shot of an artillery gun. Under the towers there is a kitchen and a former storage room, which is accessed by one of the entrances with a round arch. Inside, the room is decorated in a Gothic style, decorated with paintings and furniture.
In 1563 and 1567, Mary Stuart, Queen of Scots, visited here. Arriving at Borthwick Castle for the second time, the queen, along with her husband James Hepburn, was under siege and was forced to flee from the fortress. In 1650, the castle was attacked by the troops of Oliver Cromwell, and after several shots the defenders surrendered. During the Second World War, the national treasures of the country were stored in the premises of the fortress. In 2013-2015, the building was restored and opened for events.
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