BORTHWICK, Rt Hon 24th Lord 1940-2025

[Richard R]

From the Telegraph & Times of 2 April 2025: BORTHWICK John Hugh, 24th Lord Borthwick (Crookston). Peacefully at the Borders General Hospital on 26th March 2025, John, aged 84 years. Dearly beloved husband of Adelaide, and a loving father, father-in-law, grandfather and twin brother. Private family cremation. A Service of Thanksgiving will be held at St Mary of Wedale Church, Stow on Thursday 10th April at 2.30 p.m. to which everyone is welcome. Family flowers only please.

He was s of 23^rd Lord BORTHWICK 1905-96 and Margaret Frances 1911-76 d of Alexander Campbell CORMACK [1873-1931 (shipowner) and Louisa Margaret GLYNN c1880-1959]. He m 1974 Adelaide b 1945 d of Archy BIRKMYRE 1904-92 (s of Sir Archibald BIRKMYRE 1^st Bt 1875-1935) and Doreen 1913-2005 d of Robert BARCLAY 1882-1949 of Kilbirnie, Ayrshire by his 27 June 1912 m ref 644/11/252 Anderston to Alice Adelaide MATHIESON 1886-1976, and had two daus. His twin brother succeeds him.

JAMES HENRY ALEXANDER Borthwick of Glengelt 25^th Lord BORTHWICK has yet to establish claim, b 14 Nov 1940 (yr twin s of 23^rd Lord above): m 1972 Elspeth 1939-2018 d of Lt-Col Allan Dunn MACCONACHIE 1908-97 and Elizabeth Theodora 1909-90 d of Theodore Henderson MOLESWORTH 1872-1955 (3xgt gs of 1^st Viscount MOLESWORTH 1656-1725) and Ethel Alexandra UPTON 1876-1955, and had issue

SON LIVING

Hon MALCOLM HENRY (soon to be Master of Borthwick) b 4 Aug 1973: m 2002 Alexandra Catriona b c1973 reg Q1 London d of Garry WATSON of Nelandrig, Midlothian, and has issue (ARCHIE DEXTER b 10 July 2007, Oscar Samuel b 2011, Isobel Olivia b 2008).

[Ivan Prekajski]

Isn't he suposed to be suceeded by his daughter?

[Richard R]

In a word, No. The title has never passed to a female. When the title has fallen dormant, it has always been determined in favour of heirs male.

[S. S.]

That is true, it has always gone to a male heir, though what is interesting is that there is no instrument extant for the title at all, nor is its exact date of creation known. 1452 or 12 June 1452 is often given. 

From evidence before the House in Lords in 1870, it was found that this title was not existent in 1450, but was so in 1455. In the claim of 1763 and elsewhere, the title is erroneously given a date of creation as 1424, being attributed to Sir William Borthwick, 1st of Borthwick , who was the founder of Borthwick Castle. To make matters more confusing, other sources state wildly different dates. Scottish Nation, ii, 338 supposes it to be created ca 1424; Peter Brown, Peerage of Scotland (1834), p 213  supposes it to be 1452; Burke’s Peerage and New Extinct Peerage both gave the date of 12 June 1452 and A System of Heraldry (1722), ii, 105 states that “this family was dignified with the title of Lord Borthwick in the beginning of the reign of King James II”, which commenced in 1437, much closer to Brown’s assertion. In the Parliament of 1469 held at Edinburgh, Lord Borthwick was ranked after Lord Halyburton [S] (cr 1441). In the Parliament of 1471, he is the 4th Lordof Parliament, ranked immediately after Lord Glamis [S] (cr 1445) (Francis L. Leeson, A Directory of British Peerages (2002), 67, 74). 

S.S.

[bx...@yahoo.com]

Was there any reason, other than maybe personal preference, that the late Lord's last name was BORTHWICK OF THAT ILK,  while the new Lord (his twin brother)'s last name is BORTHWICK OF GLENGELT?

Thanks.

Brooke

[Patricia Light]

DPB has updated  this title

[bx...@yahoo.com]

Thanks, Patricia, for the info.

I see new lord's last name is now BORTHWICK OF THAT ILK, so perhaps it's only the peer who has that last name?  

However,  I don't see the Master of Borthwick taking a different last name, so is his last name now BORTHWICK OF THAT ILK  or BORTHWICK OF GLENGELT?

Thanks.

Brooke

[sven_me...@web.de]

What do we know about his time in the Lords?

[Robert Jewell]

Use of "Of that Ilk" is a device to avoid repetition in the name of the Chief of some clans, rather than saying Borthwick of Borthwick. The Head of the family might hand out some of his lands to his sons, e.g. Borthwick of Glengelt. That individual, as here, would assume Of that Ilk upon becoming Chief. but Glengelt would merge in the higher name..

[David Beamish]

He took his seat on 8 May 1997 (https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld199798/minutes/index.pdf) but never spoke.

[bx...@yahoo.com]

Thanks for the explanation, Robert.  Much appreciated.

Brooke

[sven_me...@web.de]

He sat as a crossbencher.

[colinp]

The Secretary of State for Justice has approved the succession of James Henry Alexander Borthwick of that Ilk as Lord Borthwick in the Peerage of Scotland - College of Arms website