Forest bathing at Penicuik Estate

The Penicuik Estate was laid out as a landscaped park from about 1700 by Sir John Clerk, and generations of the Clerk family have planted many thousands of trees here since. The mansion built in the 1760s was gutted by fire in 1899 and stands as a ruin, while the family lives in the converted stables. Around it is a mix of mature woodland, parkland and estate tracks beside the River North Esk.

Circular routes start from a small car park beside the South Kirk and climb up the hillside, passing landmarks such as the round Knight's Law Tower doocot, an obelisk to the poet Allan Ramsay and the remains of Ravensneuk Castle. Ground near the house is fairly easy; further out the paths are hillier and more undulating, and quieter too. This is a privately owned estate with public access on its paths, so follow local signs. Expect unsurfaced tracks and some mud.