Penicuik


Midlothian

Shops, central Penicuik
©2022 Gazetteer for Scotland

Shops, central Penicuik

Located 10 miles (16 km) south of Edinburgh, on the west bank of the North Esk, the bustling town of Penicuik was originally developed as a planned village in 1770 by its laird, Sir James Clerk of Penicuik (c.1710-82). The name originates from Pen-y-Cog, or 'Hill of the Cuckoo' in the ancient Brythonic language, a toponymic fact uniquely commemorated on Lothian Transport's Nos. 37 and 47 buses in 2011.

Penicuik's industries included first coal mining and then paper-making, a manufacture initially centred on the Valleyfield Mills which operated 1709-1966, creating wealth for the Cowan family who greatly influenced the town's economy and politics. The paper mill was remodelled for use as a prisoner-of-war camp at the end of the Napoleonic Wars (1810-15), a period commemorated by the French Prisoners' Monument (1830). In 1777, Scotland's first cotton mill was built here at Esk Mills and was employing over 500 people by 1794 but closed in 1811. The premises were sold to the Government and converted into barracks for 1500 soldiers tasked with guarding the French prisoners at Valleyfield. Both Valleyfield and Esk Mills were soon re-established as paper mills. Mauricewood Pit closed after a devastating fire in 1889. Penicuik was home to Edinburgh Crystal between 1969 and their bankruptcy in 2006. Today, Penicuik is primarily a dormitory for Edinburgh, although does have small industrial concerns and is a centre for agriculture and scientific research, at the nearby Edinburgh Technopole.

The graveyard of the parish church (1771) includes remains of the old 17th Century St. Kentigern's church and its tower. Other major buildings include the Episcopal church of St. James the Less (1882) and Penicuik South Church (1862), a 'master work' by F.T. Pilkington. The Town Hall was built as the Cowan Institute in 1893. Uttershill Castle (c.1510) provides superb viewpoints 1 mile (1.5 km) south of the town, while 2 miles (3.2 km) southwest is Brunstane Castle and 1¼ miles (2 km) southwest is Penicuik House, home to the Clerk family, which was gutted by fire in 1899.

Penicuik benefits from two secondary schools; Penicuik High School and Beeslack Community High School, together with Cornbank, Cuiken, Eastfield, Ladywood, Mauricewood and Sacred Heart Primary Schools. Glencorse Primary School at Milton Bridge closed in 2021.


Use the tabs on the right of this page to see other parts of this entry arrow

If you have found this information useful please consider making
a donation to help maintain and improve this resource. More info...

By using our site you agree to accept cookies, which help us serve you better