A bride and groom share a dance in front of an illuminated stone archway at night, with several flags hanging above the entrance at Borthwick Castle, Midlothian.

Borthwick Castle Wedding Photographer: Wedding Photos & Venue Guide

ByJonathon Fowler Updated

Borthwick Castle is one of the most distinctive wedding venues we’ve photographed in Midlothian, combining dramatic historic interiors with open countryside around the castle.

Set at North Middleton, around 12 miles south of Edinburgh, the venue offers a very different feel from a city-centre wedding. The stone rooms, Great Hall, Garrison and surrounding grounds all give photographs a strong sense of place.

What we particularly liked when photographing here was the contrast between the castle’s darker, atmospheric interiors and the more open outdoor areas around the building. That gives couples useful options throughout the day without needing to travel elsewhere for portraits.

If you’re considering a castle wedding in Scotland, you can also explore our guide to historic castle wedding venues.

Borthwick Castle

photographed first-hand

700+

weddings photographed since 2006

Jonathon & Claire

husband-and-wife photography team

Borthwick Castle Wedding Photos

Below are some of our favourite photographs from Borthwick Castle, showing the castle’s historic interiors, ceremony spaces and surrounding grounds across a real wedding day.

You can also explore more of our wedding photography portfolio.

  • External view of Borthwick Castle from a surrounding field
  • Outside view of castle with archway entrance
  • Indian, Scottish and Canadian flags at archway entrance
  • Young boy playing the bagpipes in front of stone wall
  • External photo of the front door
  • Close up photo of The Great Hall door plaque
  • Arm chairs in front of large fireplace
  • Wide angle photo of the State Room
  • Aerial photo looking down onto The Great Hall
  • Wooden door with The Garrison name plaque
  • Lit candle beside aisle
  • Flowers in vases on a table
  • Box filled with rose petals
  • Photo of spiral staircase taken from the top looking down
  • Portrait photo of the Groom
  • Detailed photo of Groom's shoes
  • Groom sitting in a chair with his feet up
  • Groomsman and friends walking towards camera
  • Groom wearing traditional Indian wear showing the henna on his hand
  • Platinum and diamond wedding rings
  • necklace laid out in the shape of a heart
  • Bride's Jimmy Choo high heeled shoes
  • Jimmy Choo high heeled shoes on piano keys
  • Bride's diamond and ruby earrings
  • diamond and ruby necklace
  • stack of bangles
  • wedding dress hanging up against a wardrobe
  • close up photo of beads and crystals on dress
  • bridal floral bouquet
  • Indian lady sitting on a sofa arranging roses
  • Bride getting eye makeup applied
  • Bride's hands with henna tattoo
  • Bride's feet showing henna tattoo
  • Portrait of lady smiling
  • Indian couple smiling at camera
  • Band playing string instruments
  • Father of the bride sitting down
  • Hindu marriage ceremony set up
  • Stage set for Hindu ceremony
  • Photo of guests taken from front of the room
  • Groom arrives at the Garrison room
  • Groom is welcomed to ceremony room
  • Groom getting his feet blessed
  • Father of the bride and bride looking at each other
  • Portrait of bride smiling
  • Father of the bride and bride walking down the aisle
  • Groom smiling at his bride
  • Man wipes away bride's tears with a tissue
  • Bride places floral garland around groom's neck
  • Bride and Groom holding each others garlands
  • Bride and Groom sitting down during Hindu marriage ceremony
  • Photo of the wedding party on the stage during the Hindu marriage ceremony
  • Order of service with candles in the background
  • Groom's mother wearing pink watching ceremony
  • Bride smiling at Groom
  • View of the Garrison room
  • Hindu marriage ceremony with bride and groom
  • Bride and Groom walking around stage
  • Man dressed in Indian gown holding silver dish
  • Ritual during Hindu marriage ceremony
  • Bridal chorus music sheets
  • Father of the bride smiling and clapping
  • Guests clapping and smiling
  • Bride and Groom exchanging rings
  • Groom signing marriage schedule
  • Newlyweds walking down the aisle
  • Newlyweds walking down stairs as guests throw confetti
  • Piper with bride and groom following behind
  • Newlyweds standing outside the arch entrance to the castle
  • Newlyweds kiss at castle entrance
  • Bride sitting on Grooms knees against stone wall
  • Bride dancing in front of castle wall
  • Bride standing with arms out against stone wall
  • Portrait of Groom against wall
  • Portrait of bride against wall
  • Borthwick Castle Wedding Photographer - Sonya and Kordell's Hindu Celebration
  • Newlyweds make their entrance into the State Room
  • Groom being congratulated by guest
  • Lady smiling at the Groom
  • Indian lady pictured laughing
  • View of the grand State Room taken from the back
  • Bride and guest talking and smiling
  • The Great Hall dressed for the wedding breakfast
  • Long tables with silver candles and flowers
  • Mounted stuffed stag head
  • Sword display on stone wall
  • Suit of armour
  • Coat of arms
  • Buttons at the back of the bride's wedding dress getting fastened
  • Bride looking over her shoulder wearing her dress
  • Groom enters bedroom suite for first look of bride wearing wedding dress
  • Groom wearing tuxedo smiling at bride
  • Groom touching bride's arm
  • Bride and Groom make their entrance into The Great Hall
  • Man standing holding microphone during speeches
  • The Great Hall from above
  • Bride cuddling her father at top table
  • Bride clapping during speeches
  • Groom giving father a cuddle
  • Newlyweds pictured in a field with horses with Borthwick Castle in the background
  • Newlyweds looking at each other standing in a field with the castle in the distance
  • Newlyweds standing on an old picturesque stone bridge
  • Portrait shot of Newlyweds with blurred castle in the background
  • Night time photo of newlyweds in front of archway
  • Wedding cake on wooden table in the centre of the dancefloor
  • Newlyweds take to the dancefloor to perform their first dance as husband and wife
  • Newlyweds cutting the cake with silver sword
  • Guests watching newlyweds dancing
  • Newlyweds performing their first dance in front of their family and friends
  • Groom kissing bride's hands
  • Image taken from above of guests dancing at evening reception
  • Outside view of Borthwick Castle with fields in the foreground

Why Borthwick Castle Works Well for Wedding Photography

Borthwick Castle has a very distinctive character, and that comes through strongly in photographs. The thick stone walls, vaulted ceilings, fireplaces and narrow staircases create a darker, more atmospheric backdrop than many country-house wedding venues.

The contrast with the grounds is particularly useful. Outside, the castle sits high in the Midlothian countryside with open views, mature trees, and the long approach to the entrance, giving us much lighter, more spacious options for portraits.

Inside, rooms such as the Garrison, Great Hall and State Room each have a different feel, so there is plenty of variety without needing to leave the castle. The interiors also give us useful alternatives when the weather makes spending much time outside less appealing.

Borthwick Castle dates from the 15th century and has associations with Mary, Queen of Scots and Oliver Cromwell, but for couples planning a wedding here, its real photographic strength is how much of that history is still visible in the building itself.

The castle is currently offered for exclusive-use weddings, so couples and their guests can make use of the castle and grounds without sharing the venue with another wedding or event.

View of Borthwick Castle from the north, surrounded by the Midlothian countryside.

Wedding Spaces at Borthwick Castle

The Garrison set up for a wedding at Borthwick Castle.

The Garrison

The Garrison is one of the castle’s most atmospheric rooms, with stone walls, a vaulted ceiling, and views across the surrounding countryside.

It can host ceremonies, receptions, and evening celebrations. From a photography point of view, its darker interior and historic character give the ceremony a very different feel from an outdoor setting.

Great Hall view from Minstrel's Gallery

The Great Hall

The Great Hall is the castle’s main dining and reception space. Its scale, vaulted ceiling and large fireplace make it one of the most recognisable rooms in the building.

We found it particularly useful for photographing the wedding breakfast, speeches and the wider atmosphere of the celebration without losing the sense of the castle around the guests.

State Room

The State Room

The State Room is a more intimate lounge space used for drinks and canapés. Its fireplace, furniture and softer atmosphere give photographs a different character from the larger reception rooms.

It also works well for quieter moments during the day and gives couples an indoor option away from the busier parts of the celebration.

Because room use and wedding arrangements can change, couples should confirm their current plans directly with Borthwick Castle.

Staying at Borthwick Castle

One practical advantage of an exclusive-use wedding at Borthwick Castle is that some of the wedding party can stay on site.

The castle currently offers 12 individually designed bedrooms, including rooms within the main castle as well as the Gatehouse and Crookston Cottage. That means preparations, the wedding itself and the following morning can all take place within the same estate.

From a photography point of view, having accommodation inside the castle also gives us more opportunities to document the quieter parts of the day, particularly preparations before the ceremony.

The bedrooms vary considerably in character, with stone walls, fireplaces, historic detailing and views across the surrounding countryside. Couples should check the current accommodation arrangements directly with Borthwick Castle, as room use and availability can change.

A bride and groom share a dance in front of an illuminated stone archway at night, with several flags hanging above the entrance at Borthwick Castle, Midlothian.

Wedding Portraits Around Borthwick Castle

Borthwick Castle gives couples a good mix of indoor and outdoor portrait locations without needing to travel away from the venue.

Outside, the long approach to the castle, surrounding trees and open countryside provide lighter, more spacious backgrounds that contrast with the darker stone interiors.

Inside, the staircases, fireplaces, stone walls and historic rooms give portraits a much more atmospheric feel. That variety is especially useful when the weather changes, because it offers strong options without relying entirely on the grounds.

When we photographed here, we found that using a small number of locations suited the setting better than trying to cover every corner of the castle. It kept the portraits relaxed while still giving the finished gallery plenty of variety.

Planning a Wedding at Borthwick Castle?

We’re Claire and Jonathon, a husband-and-wife photography team with more than 700 weddings of experience since 2006. If you’re looking for a Borthwick Castle wedding photographer, we bring first-hand experience of photographing at this distinctive venue.

If you’re planning your wedding here and our mix of natural documentary photography and relaxed editorial portraits feels right for you, we’d love to hear what you’re planning.

You can also read more about our editorial and documentary wedding photography.

Tell us a little about what you’re planning, and we’ll check our availability, answer any questions and help you work out what suits you best.There’s no pressure or obligation, and we usually reply within 24 hours.

Sometimes our reply gets shy and hides in your junk folder. Leave your number, and we’ll text to let you know we’ve replied—no calls, unless you request one!
Include your venue or location if you know it, anything you’ve planned so far, and any questions you’d like us to answer.

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Edinburgh Wedding Photographer & Co-Founder of Jonathon Fowler Photography

About Jonathon Fowler

Jonathon Fowler is an experienced Edinburgh wedding photographer and co-founder of Jonathon Fowler Photography. Together with his wife Claire, he has photographed more than 700 weddings since 2006, including over 500 weddings in Edinburgh.

Jonathon's approach combines natural documentary photography with relaxed editorial portraits, creating vibrant, authentic images without turning your wedding day into a photoshoot. He's particularly experienced at helping couples who don't feel comfortable in front of the camera, offering just enough direction when it helps while keeping everything relaxed and natural.

After photographing hundreds of weddings, Jonathon brings extensive first-hand experience of wedding venues, changing light, unpredictable weather, busy timelines and the practical realities of photographing weddings across Edinburgh and throughout Scotland. From crowded city-centre streets to country estates, castles and intimate ceremonies, that experience helps couples spend less time worrying about photographs and more time enjoying their wedding.

Jonathon also creates many of the practical wedding and venue guides published on this website, sharing advice based on real weddings he and Claire have photographed rather than generic recommendations.

Meet Jonathon & Claire, Our Wedding Photography Team →