Description

William Scott, 1935-7, with later additions. 2-storey and basement, 23-bay near-symmetrical double quadrangular-plan generously fenestrated linear school with severe classical details, with outer bays of SE (principal) elevation splayed forward beyond quadrangle plan at N and S, 5-bay to right, 4-bay to left. Stugged ashlar sandstone at principal floor of principal elevation, remainder rendered with polished ashlar dressings, with channelled rustication to advanced entrance blocks breaking eaves. Corniced lintel between principal and 1st floors of entrance blocks, band course between principal and 1st floors, eaves course; pilasters dividing pairs of bays at 1st floor.

SE (PRINCIPAL) ELEVATION: 5-bay advanced entrance block at centre, and pair of single bay entrance blocks in bays 7th to left and right from centre comprising steps and saddle-coped wall up to central architraved doorpiece with 2-leaf 6-panel timber door and decorative rectangular fanlight, central entrance block with windows in remaining bays at principal floor and in bays above, with bays at centre and outer left and right advanced at 1st floor and surmounted by block pediments, central window architraved with keystone, and on cill with consoles; fluted lintels in bays to outer left and right at central entrance block. Regular fenestration to remaining bays at principal and 1st floors. 2-bay return to splayed outer bays to right, comprising steps down to basement door to left at ground, windows in bays at principal floor; blank return to splayed angle to left.

NE AND SW ELEVATIONS: near-mirrored pair of side elevations, 17-bay to NE elevation, 15-bay to SW elevation, angled out at SE and stepped up to NW, comprising deeply chamfered architraved doorpieces with 2-leaf 6-panel timber doors and decorative rectangular fanlights in penultimate bay to left at ground at NE elevation, and penultimate bay from right at ground at SW elevation. Regular fenestration to remaining bays at principal and 1st floors. Returns to principal elevation splayed angles with irregular fenestration, advanced stair block at SW, built out, incorporating stair well at NE.

NW (REAR) ELEVATION: not seen, 1999.

Multi-pane, metal pivoting windows. Graded grey slate roofs, with lead ridges. Cast-iron rainwater goods. Ashlar ridge stacks; corniced, with circular cans.

INTERIOR: classical decorative scheme, including columned and pilastered entrance hall with reed and tie decoration, leading to double return staircase with rectilinear pattern metal banisters surmounted by timber hand rails, dado level marked by semicircular timber ridge; central assembly hall with timber steps to raised stage; gymnasium at rear with vertically boarded, corniced timber dado, flanked by separate boys and girls changing rooms; head teacher's office with timber pilasters flanking windows, panelled and corniced timber dado, decorative fireplace and doors.

BOUNDARY WALLS, GATEPIERS AND GATES: low, coped ashlar boundary walls at street to principal elevation, with coped corner terminals and curved walls to coped gatepiers with recessed shouldered panel detail and decorative cast-iron finials, with lamps removed. Decorative wrought-iron gates.

Statement of Interest

Penicuik High School is of interest with its soberly elegant 1930's design and fine detailing, including the gatepiers, now unfortunately without their lamps.

External Links

• Historic Environment Scotland Listing
• Wikidata Q17828790

External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.

Recommended Books

• 
  London 3: North West: North West v. 3 (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990
• 
  Berkshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  ENGLAND GUIDE TO POST WAR LISTED: A Guide to Post-war Listed Buildings
• 
  Derbyshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Kent: North East and East (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)