Crookston Old House, so named to distinguish it from the 19th century Crookston House, started life as a tower in the 15th century. Said to have been built by John de Borthwick in 1446, the Borthwick family still own it.

Over the centuries it has been extended and remodelled, and the old tower now forms the eastern most section of the property. In the 17th century a west wing was added, more than doubling the size of the property.

Crookston Old House was altered further around 1860, at the same time that Brown and Wardrop were remodelling (New) Crookston House, with the addition of a short wing on the south side creating a T-plan building.