Borthwick, a rivulet partly of Selkirkshire, but chiefly of Roxburghshire. It is formed by Craikhope, Howpasley, and Brownshope burns, which rise near the boundary with Dumfriesshire, at 1500 feet above sea-level; it runs about 16 miles north-eastward, chiefly through Roberton parish, and generally with shallow rapid current along a rugged bed; and it falls into the Teviot at a point 2 miles above Hawick. Its vale is deep and narrow; has many a nook of romantic character; and is graced, about 2½ miles from the Teviot, with the ancient baronial fortalice of Harden. Its upper reaches comprise some good fishing pools; but its middle and its lower ones offer little attraction to the angler.—Ord. Sur., shs. 16,17,1864.

(F.H. Groome, Ordnance Gazetteer of Scotland (1882-4); © 2004 Gazetteer for Scotland)