📌 Penicuik, Midlothian
★★★
This easygoing circuit links the paper making town of Penicuik with the ruined shell of Old Penicuik House (with cafe) and its beautiful estate. The sedate River North Esk is a pleasant companion on the outward leg, while woodland footpaths keep a respectful distance from the main road for the return route. Don’t miss the short detour to a characterful, circular flag tower on a small hill above the road out of the estate, with glimpses of the Pentland Hills chain from its base.
📷 Chronological photo guide
🌍 Location
📌 Start / finish at Bridge Street (A701) / Cairnbank Road junction, Penicuik town centre
🧭 O.S. Grid Reference: NT 236597
🛰️ GPS coordinates: 55.824290,-3.221844
🚌 Bus to Penicuik
🚗 Street parking
📝 Key info
▶ 6 km / 4 mi | ▲ 90 m | ⌛ 2 hr
Features: 💧 River North Esk; 🏰 Old Penicuik House ★★; ✞ Knight’s Law tower; 🏠 Penicuik ★ & town sights
⬤ Easy | Paths, tracks, quiet tarmac roads & pavements. Some mud & one shortish ascent from Low Pond to Old Penicuik House.
Download file for GPS➡️ Clockwise circuit: start – Low Pond via River North Esk – Old Penicuik House – Knight’s Law tower – Spear Gate Lodge – Penicuik & town sights – start
🥾 On our last visit
Wildlife: Plenty of birdlife including buzzards, greylag geese and dippers. Thousands (!) of froglets leaving Low Pond. Widespread moth / caterpillar nests coating many bushes along the river.
Weather: Decent sunny intervals, cloud tending to build. Temperature in mid teens.
June 2020
