William Borthwick was probably the first to bring an international perspective to the Incorporation and to Edinburgh. Having studied at the great European medical centres of Padua and Leyden, he was to encourage one of his apprentices, John Monro (q.v.) to study in Leyden. Monro returned to Scotland, inspired and determined to set up a similar Faculty in Edinburgh. His vision led to the establishment of the Monro dynasty which was to bring Edinburgh medicine to pre eminence on the world stage.
William Borthwick studied in Padua in Italy in 1666, then at Leyden where he matriculated the following year. He was apprenticed to his father in law, James Borthwick (q.v.) and went on to become Deacon of the Incorporation from 1675 to 1677 and from 1681 to 1683. In 1679 he became “Chirurgeon Major of his Majesty’s Forces in Scotland”.
He owned the Pilmuir estate in East Lothian. His country home, Pilmuir House, was built in 1627, Some 300 years later it was bought by Sir Henry Wade (q.v.) who left it in Trust to the College.
