Penicuik ward lies within the Midlothian council area, situated south of Edinburgh. The settlement of Penicuik itself serves as the main population centre, historically shaped by paper milling along the River North Esk. The ward encompasses surrounding residential areas and stretches into rural land, including parts of the Pentland Hills regional park. This mix defines its character, with housing estates bordering open moorland and farmland.
The area's landscape is marked by the steep, wooded gorge of the North Esk, a notable local feature. Remnants of its industrial past, including former mill buildings, are integrated into the town. The ward contains several smaller communities and is traversed by major roads linking Edinburgh to the south. Glencorse Barracks, a significant military installation, is located within its boundaries.
