NT2159 : Druid at Penicuik House
taken 7 years ago, near to Silverburn, Midlothian, Scotland
Penicuik House was built in 1761 in the Palladian style by Sir James Clerk, with the later addition of wings either side. The house caught fire in 1899, leaving a roofless shell that fell into a dangerous state of disrepair, and it was threatened with demolition.
The Penicuik House Project was set up to conserve the house in a safe state suitable for visitors, and at the same time provide significant training opportunities for young people wishing to learn skills in stonemasonry and lime mortar building techniques. After 6 years the work has been completed and a Ranger Service has been set up to guide groups through the house remains and the surrounding landscaped policies.
More background on the conservation project can be found at Link.