Former Lord Provost dies

Edinburgh’s Lord Provost Frank Ross paid tribute to the late Kenneth Borthwick.

Elected in 1956, Mr Borthwick was Lord Provost of the City of Edinburgh between 1977 – 1980. He died peacefully last week at the Royal Infirmary aged 101.

Frank Ross said: “I was sad to hear of the passing of Kenneth Borthwick – a stalwart of local government politics and a predecessor of mine.

“As a sports enthusiast, Ken drove support for the creation of the Council’s famous Royal Commonwealth Pool, the Hill-end Ski Slope and upgrades to Meadowbank Sports Centre. A colourful character with a varied career, Ken Borthwick was both a Sergeant in the Royal Airforce and Dean of the Edinburgh and Leith Consular Corps; a confectioner and also Chair the 1986 Commonwealth Games.

“On behalf of the Council and city he served for so many years, I would like to pay tribute to his time as a Councillor and Lord Provost and pass our sympathies to his son, daughter and grandchildren on their loss.” 

On Ken’s 100th birthday, he was hand-delivered his telegram from the Queen by the former Lord Provost. He is pictured below in his role as the Dean of the Edinburgh and Leith Consular Corps.