Just ten miles from Edinburgh lies Penicuik Estate
Across 3,000 hectares of woodland, pasture, and heritage, the estate has been cared for by the same family since 1654. It is one of Scotland’s earliest and finest designed landscapes, a place where nature, architecture, and imagination have been intertwined for centuries.
Today, this story continues through a long-term vision to restore the land, revive its heritage, and create spaces for people to stay, gather, and connect with nature.
Our vision
Our vision is a living landscape where nature thrives, heritage is renewed and people find reconnection. Guided by a fifty-year plan, we are bringing stewardship and enterprise together to help this extraordinary place flourish.
This vision is deeply rooted in our history, a continuation of the same spirit of creativity and care that has shaped the estate for generations.
Our history
Penicuik’s story began in 1654, when John Clerk, a Scottish merchant who built his business in Paris, returned home and purchased the estate.
Over the centuries, his family shaped one of Scotland’s earliest designed landscapes, where art, architecture, and productive land were conceived as one. Through fire, war, and changing fortunes, their spirit of innovation and stewardship endured, continuing to guide how we care for Penicuik’s buildings, landscapes, and legacy today.
Restoring nature
At the heart of our work is restoring the natural landscape, a commitment to heal the land and create a resilient ecosystem for generations.
From native woodland creation and peatland restoration to regenerative farming, each project reconnects habitats and rebuilds soil health. Together, these efforts form a living mosaic of biodiversity, helping the estate become self-restoring and full of life once more.
Fostering connection
People are at the heart of Penicuik Estate’s renewal. We’re strengthening community relationships by improving access to nature, supporting local skills, and working together through learning and shared projects.
Wellbeing matters here and grows naturally through time outdoors, purposeful work, and a sense of calm. Our aim is to care for this place openly and thoughtfully, creating a landscape to enjoy and share, now and for the future.
Reviving heritage
We honour Penicuik Estate’s past by reimagining its architecture and designed landscape for modern life. Through thoughtful restoration and creative reuse, historic buildings and landmarks are gaining renewed purpose, from grand spaces for gathering to quiet places for reflection.
Each project blends traditional craft with contemporary design, keeping the estate’s heritage active, inspiring, and alive for the future.
