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Newbiggin

The lands of Penicuik were owned by the Pennicuik family from the dawns of written history until 1603, when “Alexander Penycuke of that Ilk entered into a contract with John Prestoun of Fentonbarns regarding the sale of the lands and barony”.

According to The Annals of Penicuik, Newbiggin House may have been built shortly after this by Sir John Preston in 1609. However a drawing by Sir John Clerk of Eldin from around 1750, and a second 18th century drawing, portrays what looks like a tall, square keep that has been much extended over the centuries. Some time after 1674 vaults were removed, suggesting the modernisation of an older building.

Newbiggin House stood just behind where the shell of Penicuik House (built between 1761 and 1769 by Sir James Clerk, destroyed by fire in 1899) now stands, and was at the centre of extensive parklands, which can be seen marked on General Roy’s military map.

Some of the park’s walls were built using stone robbed by Sir John Clerk from Ravensneuk Castle which stands on the estate.

Sir John Prestoun sold the Penicuik estates to Margaret Scott, the Countess of Eglinton and daughter of Sir Walter Scott, the 1st Lord Scott of Buccleuch, in 1646. Upon her death in 1653 the estates were split between her daughter, Jean Ross, Lady Innes, and her grand-daughter, Margaret Hepburn. The two heirs sold the estates to Sir John Clerk in 1654, and they have remained in the Clerk family ever since.

Nothing is now visible of Newbiggin, however in the library of New Penicuik House (the converted former stables of Penicuik House) is a moulded fireplace dated 1662 which is thought to have come from Newbiggin.

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Alternative names for Newbiggin

Newbiggin House; Newbigging; Newbigging House; Old Penicuik; Penicuik House; Pennicuik

Surnames associated with Newbiggin

Preston

Where is Newbiggin?

Newbiggin is in the parish of Penicuik and the county of Midlothian.

Grid reference: NT 21726 59208

Lat / long: 55.819819, -3.250739

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OS Map for Newbiggin

OS map 344
Pentland Hills (Penicuik & West Linton)
OS Explorer map 344


Directions to Newbiggin

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Weather at Newbiggin

11°C
max 13°C / min 9°C
5km/h
1027mb
73%
93%
04:02 20:16

Overcast clouds
Weather observed at Penicuik at 11:00

References (websites)

Canmore
Penicuik House

Castles near Newbiggin

Ravensneuk Castle

0.6km away

Cornton (possible) (site of)

1.0km away

Brunston Castle

1.9km away

Uttershill Castle

2.1km away

Halls

2.2km away

Howlet's House

4.0km away

Logan Castle (site of)

4.0km away

Auchendinny House

4.0km away

Coaltown Tower (site of)

4.3km away
more castles....

Ancient sites near Newbiggin

Glencorse rock art

4.5km away

Castle Law fort

4.8km away

Castle Law souterrain

4.8km away

Camus Stone (site of) standing stone

9.4km away

Cat Stanes (site of) cairns

9.5km away

Caiy Stane standing stone and rock art

9.5km away

Buck Stane standing stone

10.4km away

Wester Craiglockhart Hill fort

10.9km away

Kaimes Hill fort

11.3km away
more ancient sites....

Pictish stones near Newbiggin

Abernethy No. 2 Class III symbol stone

14.7km away

Abernethy No. 4 Class III cross shaft

14.7km away

Princes Street Gardens Class I symbol stone

14.7km away

Court Cave Class I rock carving

39.7km away

Doo Cave Class I rock carving

39.8km away

Jonathan's Cave Class I rock carving

40.1km away

Sliding Cave Class I rock carving

40.1km away

Tullibole Class III cross slab

44.6km away

Scoonie Class II cross slab

45.6km away
more Pictish stones....
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Pictish sites near Newbiggin

Borland silver chain

20.3km away

Todholes (possible) silver chain

22.4km away

Whitlaw silver chain

30.2km away

Haddington silver chain

33.0km away

Traprain Law silver chain

39.8km away

Norrie's Law hoard

51.8km away

Whitecleugh silver chain

56.3km away

Hoardweel silver chain

57.0km away

Dunnicaer fort

142.2km away
more Pictish sites....

Accommodation near Newbiggin

Craigiebield House Hotel
hotelPenicuik
1.8km away
Rosslyn Castle
self-cateringRoslin
6.7km away
Aaron Glen Guesthouse
bed and breakfastLoanhead
7.9km away
Alvar House
bed and breakfastEdinburgh
10.2km away
Ture Bed and Breakfast
bed and breakfastEdinburgh
10.8km away
Heriot-Watt University
hotelEdinburgh
10.9km away
Laird & Dog Inn
hotel, pubLasswade
11.0km away
Best Western Braid Hills Hotel
hotel, restaurant, barEdinburgh
11.1km away
Dalhousie Castle Hotel
hotel, restaurant, barBonnyrigg
11.5km away
Kirkhill Mansion B&B
bed and breakfastArniston
11.5km away

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Cafés, restaurants & bars near Newbiggin

Whitmuir The Organic Place
café, restaurantWest Linton
8.5km away
Laird & Dog Inn
hotel, pubLasswade
11.0km away
Best Western Braid Hills Hotel
hotel, restaurant, barEdinburgh
11.1km away
Dalhousie Castle Hotel
hotel, restaurant, barBonnyrigg
11.5km away
Morningside Glory
barEdinburgh
11.9km away
The Waiting Room
barEdinburgh
12.0km away
Barony Castle
hotel, restaurant, barPeebles
12.1km away
Horseshoe Inn
hotel, restaurantEddleston
12.3km away
Premier Inn Edinburgh A7 (Dalkeith)
hotel, restaurantDalkeith
12.3km away
Merlin
barEdinburgh
12.4km away
more food.... / more drink....

Related pages

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Inveraray Castle and standing stone
Inveraray Castle and standing stone
A doocot, a castle and a beach in East Lothian
A doocot, a castle and a beach in East Lothian
A pair of castles on the River Tweed
A pair of castles on the River Tweed
Dunbar harbour and castle
Dunbar harbour and castle
Published on the 13th of July 2010 at 7:00 pm. Updated on the 26th of February 2021 at 9:41 am.

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Andy Sweet above Fast Castle

Stravaiging around Scotland is written, photographed and researched by Andy Sweet.
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