Visit to Penicuik Paper Making Museum
A chance to see the long history of papermaking at Penicuik and to make a sheet of paper of your own
About
The making of paper began in Penicuik in 1709 and grew along the river Esk until there were at least 14 mills operating along the river. The activity thrived and the Esk, in particular Penicuik, become the papermaking centre of the world producing machine-made paper and hand-made fine papers. Pollution of the river later became a major problem giving rise to legal problems for the mill owners. With the passage of time, the effects of increasing worldwide competition and the continuing use of ageing machinery the industry declined until the final mill closed in 1975. There is now little trace of this once thriving industry along the banks of the Esk.
This visit to the small, volunteer-led museum will explain the local history of the industry and its machinery. There will also be the chance to make a small sheet of hand-made paper.
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Continuing Professional Development
This event can contribute towards your Continuing Professional Development (CPD) hours as part of the IET's CPD monitoring scheme.
07 Oct 2026
1:45pm - 4:00pm
Reasons to attend
The Penicuik Community Development Trust is responsible for the running of the Museum. The volunteers are a small but enthusiastic team who are keen to keep knowledge of the papermaking heritage of Penicuik alive. They have a great depth of knowledge about the history of the industry in Penicuik, the social history of the people who worked the mills and the historic technology of papermaking. They will provide a fascinating insight into an almost forgotton industry.
Programme
12:00: Optional self-funded lunch at nearby restaurant
13:35: Walk to museum
13:45: All assemble at museum ready to check-in for visit
14:00: Visit begins
16:00: Visit ends