We are very grateful for the donations of time by our committed volunteers who welcome visitors to the museum and for the donations of materials for the building work. We are delighted that many people have also donated objects for the exhibition.

If you would like to join our volunteer team, then please come and visit us and have a look around.  We are particularly keen to speak to anyone who has direct experience of the papermaking industry either as a worker or a family member of a worker.  Your memories and knowledge are valuable in telling the story of Penicuik’s unique heritage.

In parallel with Penicuik Historical Society’s acclaimed exhibition in 2009 to mark the 300-year anniversary of papermaking in Penicuik, the Trust worked on historical research, assembled papermaking documents and artefacts, and sought a permanent home for a papermaking heritage centre. Although the purchase of Bank Mill fell through, in 2013 two of our Trustees acquired the Pen-y-Coe Press and in 2014 gained planning consent to convert part of its premises into the Museum.

Now we can celebrate the history of Penicuik ‘The Papermaking Town’ and demonstrate to new generations the wonders of papermaking. The Museum illustrates the history of papermaking as well as the particular role of Penicuik’s papermakers and offers everyone the hands-on experience of making a sheet of paper.

Papermaking in Penicuik dates from 1709, with the first mill established on the Esk by Agnes Campbell. Within 100 years, there were 10 mills between Penicuik and Lasswade.  Alexander Cowan made a particular contribution to Penicuik both as papermaker and philanthropist, but there were many remarkable businessmen, engineers and mill workers who built Penicuik’s identity as Penicuik ‘The Papermaking Town.’

For more information, see ‘Penicuik Papermaking 300th Anniversary’ by the Penicuik Historical Society’: Penicuik Papermaking