Borthwick Water

Borthwick Water is a river in the Scottish Borders that flows into the River Teviot. It begins where several burns meet at Craik in the heart of Craik Forest. The Aithouse Burn, Howpasley Burn, and Northhope Burn feed the young river before it takes the name Borthwick Water. The river passes through Meadshaw, Muselee, and Deanburnhaugh on its way to Burnfoot and Roberton. Near the end of the B711 it joins the Teviot at Borthaugh and Martinshouse, less than two miles from Hawick’s centre. The name Borthwick shares roots with Clan Borthwick, linking the waterway to local history. Places nearby include Alemoor Loch reservoir and Borthaugh Hill. Villages such as Borthwickshiels, Branxholme, Broadhaugh, and Buccleuch lie close by. The Duke of Buccleuch’s Hunt and Borthwick Water Foxhounds once met along its banks. A book by Kathleen W. Stewart recalls two centuries of life beside the river, while George Scott’s reminiscences describe the water sixty years ago.