Gazing up at Penicuik Tower, one might think it a relic of medieval times. But appearances can deceive. This tower was erected in the mid-18th century by Sir John Clerk of Penicuik. He was an enthusiastic antiquarian. He clearly had a taste for the ancient.
Penicuik Tower initially dominated the Penicuik estate. It could be seen from miles around. Today, trees obscure it. This makes it a melancholy ruin with magical charm.
Sir John Clerk planned the tower as early as 1749. Construction took until 1751. He wanted it to be beautiful and useful. He felt the tower should be an ornament to his country and estate. It was also intended to be beneficial to his family as a dovecot. Sir John was conscious of his privileged position. He believed it was his duty to provide work for local masons, wrights, and other workmen.
Above the inner door of Penicuik Tower, the date MDCCL is inscribed. You can also read TIBI SIT PRUDENTIA TURRIS. This translates to “Let wisdom be your tower”. The tower is a massive battlemented round building. It has an inner and outer tower. A dovecot resides on the first storey. A. N. Robertson described this tower accurately in 1957.
Originally, the old proprietors of St Mungo’s seat was on an eminence above the Esk. It was halfway between the village and Penicuik House. This area was called the Tower. Its old name was Terregles, meaning Terra Eclesiae or Terre d’ Eglise. Sir John Clerk’s father used stones from the original tower. He used them to build the park dyke of Penicuik House between 1654 and 1722.
Penicuik Tower is a circular structure with three storeys. It features coursed rubble and a machicolated parapet. An unusual interior includes narrow passages surrounding an inner tower. The first storey houses a doocot with 1356 nest-holes. A turnpike stair completes the structure.
The tower is part of the designed landscape around Penicuik House. The landscape evolved from the late 17th and 18th centuries. Sir John Clerk was the primary creator in the early 18th century. Penicuik Tower acts as an eye-catcher. Its high location provides extensive views of the surrounding landscape. It is a seminal example of its type in Scotland. It also represents an early example in Britain.
The Penicuik House Preservation Trust aims to restore the tower. They hope to enable public access to the rooftop viewing platform. The doves are currently gone. The tower’s ornamental role as a belvedere will be revived. The Trust is also planning to start work on the Ramsay Monument. This quirky feature is a square pedestal with an arch supporting an obelisk. The obelisk has three oval openings.
The Ramsay Monument celebrates Allan Ramsay. He was a Scottish poet, dramatist, and a key figure in the Scottish Enlightenment. He was a friend of Sir John Clerk. Sir James Clerk erected the eye-catcher in Ramsay’s memory in 1759.
Penicuik Tower stands as a testament to Sir John Clerk’s vision. It embodies beauty and utility. It serves as a reminder of the Scottish Enlightenment. The tower is an integral part of the Penicuik Estate. Its rich history continues to captivate visitors.