Uttershill Castle

Gazing up at Uttershill Castle, one can almost hear the echoes of its long-forgotten residents. Uttershill Castle, perched on a hill south of Penicuik, silently watches over the landscape. This isn’t a grand, imposing fortress. It began in 1510 as a more modest two-story bastle house, built by the Penicuik family. Imagine a rectangular structure, about 12 meters by 7 meters, with a vaulted ground floor and a main hall above. The entrance was at ground level on the south side. A staircase, tucked within the east wall’s thickness, led up to the hall. In the early 17th century, the Preston family took ownership and expanded the castle eastward. They added a kitchen and a room above, possibly a family chamber. This extension stretched the castle to about 20 meters long. Life at Uttershill Castle remains largely a mystery. Records don’t reveal grand battles or significant historical events. However, by the late 19th century, the castle lay in ruins, parts of it used as a gunpowder store for local mines. The 20th century brought two sales, each with the intention of restoration. But today, surrounded by Heras fencing, Uttershill Castle still waits for its revival. Although much of the castle has crumbled, sections of the north and east walls still stand. You can even spot the ghostly outlines of windows, and what might have been a fireplace lies buried under rubble against the western wall. Uttershill Castle, though in ruins, offers a glimpse into a simpler past, a reminder of families who lived and toiled within its walls.