Book Factory

A history of place and people Valleyfield Mill was the first mill built on the North Esk River, established by Agnes Campbell on land leased from Sir John Clerk, who was keen to promote indigenous industry. She was given the right to build a paper mill and extract water from St Mungo’s Well.

Despite having poor roads, Penicuik offered water power, clean spring water for making pulp, large flat sites, and a proximity to Edinburgh with an abundant supply of rags and important global trade network from Leith port.

Penicuik’s paper making industry thrived in the Scottish Enlightenment when Scots were among the most literate in Europe, leading to high demand for books, newspapers and other literary articles which were exported worldwide.

The railway line connecting Penicuik to Edinburgh closed for goods traffic in 1967, following a post-war decline in the papermaking industry. Most of the mills closed in 1975. Edinburgh became the centre for work, turning Penicuik into a dormitory town for commuters.