A favourite walk and a birdwatchers delight, we saw great spotted woodpeckers galore, a green woodpecker, buzzards, ravens, jays, long-tailed tits, goldcrests, coaltits, mistle thrushes and many more. Some carrion crows were even joined by a hooded crow, normally only found in western and northern Scotland.
A little local knowledge, fabulous views and some new caches make this a lovely round trip. This walk is way-marked by small plaques showing the clock tower on the new Penicuik House. The route can be done in either direction but my preferred route is to park in the car park just off Peebles Road as this is the quieter, less well used route.
The area at the beginning, or end, was once the dump for the Valleyfield papermill, the site of the mill is now a housing estate near the car park area. This part of the route suffered a recent landslip, in the debris you can see the white chalk waste from the paper mill. There track now detours around the slippage, please follow the signs.
Sir John Clerk of Penicuik was the second baronet (1676 – 1755). He was a lawyer, judge, politician, architect, composer and patron to the Arts, most notably a friend and patron to Allan Ramsay (1686 – 1758) a Scottish poet most famous for 'The Gentle Shepherd', a pastoral, first published in 1725. Upon Ramsay’s death, Sir John erected an obelisk in his memory. The monument is the focal point of a sight line from the old Penicuik House.
Rather appropriately, two ravens flew by as we were setting the cache. From the cache site there are fabulous views of both Penicuik Houses, the estate and the Pentland hills beyond, so be sure to pick a clear day. There is also a picnic table nearby where you can appreciate the view and enjoy a break.
The Ramsay Monument deserves a closer look so loup the dyke and cross the field, dogs will need to be kept on a lead as there is usually sheep in this field.
Penicuik Estate is the family seat of the Clerk family. Penicuik House was gutted by fire in 1899 and for over a hundred years has stood as a ruin. The ruin has become an accepted monument in the landscape and remains the focal point of the policies. The family moved into what was then the stable buildings and have lived there ever since.
After finding the cache continue on the path until it branches, then continue down hill to the bridge, crossing the river Esk at the Low Pond, a former curling pond, one of two on the estate. From here you can go up the hill for a closer look at the Penicuik House ruins, and then return to the path which follows the river downstream. Follow the path to the weir, where you will be able to see the full scale of the landslip. Continue on the main path until you come to gate marked no entry on the other side! Pass through this gate and past the houses to bring you back to the main road. If following the route in the opposite direction, you will have to walk through these private notices right at the beginning of the route. Going my way they are all pointing the wrong way!