Documents

There are no additional online documents for this record.

Summary

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 Special 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.

References

Bibliography

About Listed Buildings

Historic Environment Scotland is responsible for designating sites and places at the national level. These designations are Scheduled monuments, Listed buildings, Inventory of gardens and designed landscapes and Inventory of historic battlefields.

We make recommendations to the Scottish Government about historic marine protected areas, and the Scottish Ministers decide whether to designate.

Listing is the process that identifies, designates and provides statutory protection for buildings of special architectural or historic interest as set out in the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) (Scotland) Act 1997.

We list buildings which are found to be of special architectural or historic interest using the selection guidance published in Designation Policy and Selection Guidance (2019)

Listed building records provide an indication of the special architectural or historic interest of the listed building which has been identified by its statutory address. The description and additional information provided are supplementary and have no legal weight.

These records are not definitive historical accounts or a complete description of the building(s). If part of a building is not described it does not mean it is not listed. The format of the listed building record has changed over time. Earlier records may be brief and some information will not have been recorded.

The legal part of the listing is the address/name of site which is known as the statutory address. Other than the name or address of a listed building, further details are provided for information purposes only. Historic Environment Scotland does not accept any liability for any loss or damage suffered as a consequence of inaccuracies in the information provided. Addresses and building names may have changed since the date of listing. Even if a number or name is missing from a listing address it will still be listed. Listing covers both the exterior and the interior and any object or structure fixed to the building. Listing also applies to buildings or structures not physically attached but which are part of the curtilage (or land) of the listed building as long as they were erected before 1 July 1948.

While Historic Environment Scotland is responsible for designating listed buildings, the planning authority is responsible for determining what is covered by the listing, including what is listed through curtilage. However, for listed buildings designated or for listings amended from 1 October 2015, legal exclusions to the listing may apply.

If part of a building is not listed, it will say that it is excluded in the statutory address and in the statement of special interest in the listed building record. The statement will use the word 'excluding' and quote the relevant section of the 1997 Act. Some earlier listed building records may use the word 'excluding', but if the Act is not quoted, the record has not been revised to reflect subsequent legislation.

Listed building consent is required for changes to a listed building which affect its character as a building of special architectural or historic interest. The relevant planning authority is the point of contact for applications for listed building consent.

Find out more about listing and our other designations at www.historicenvironment.scot/advice-and-support. You can contact us on 0131 668 8914 or at designations@hes.scot.