The area known as Old Pentland lies on the Pentland Road running between the A702 and the A701. Much of the Old Pentland no longer exists with just a few houses left from a busy community, and yet a hundred years ago there was a population of a thousnad people working in a thriving industruy. In the 1890s, Edinburgh city took out an injunction to stop mining for shale because this was undermining the water pipes supplying the City from the Borders. THe legal action was successful and with the closure of the industry and consequent loss of employment the population dwindled. The houses became derelict and were demolished in the 1930s except the schoolhouse and houses related to farming. ---------------- attended a meeting of the Damhead Community Council and the Pentland Conservation Group was formed with the primary aim of restoring both the natural and manmade environment of the neglected graveyard and researching its history. the origins of the cemetery are lost in the mists of time but from church records it is known that a pre-Reformation church existed in the 11th century. One Old Pentland gravestone, now on display at Roslin Chapel, has been identified as that of one of the Knights' Templar dating from the 13th century. Restoration fell into two main areas, both the built and the natural environment. One of the most striking features as you approach the cemetery is the line of yew trees running along the from of the graveyard and forming an arch over the gateway. After the vegetation had been tamed, dead trees removed and new trees planted, we took advice on the mangement of these trees and a limbing programme was undertaken. The largest building within the graveyard is the Gibsone Mausoleum (1845 grade C listed) built, it is thought on the site of the pre-Reformation Church and designed to the specification of Mrs Helen Gibsone who died in 1843. It also commemorates Sir John Gibsone, died 1781, and his wife Henrietta and more recently Jack Gibsone, Laird of Pentland, who died 30th Decenber 1992, aged 84. The mausoleum had been badly damaged by vandals and neglect, and the removel of sections of the flagged roof had allowed water and vegetation to penetrate the building. Restoration work was carried out originally by the group but later with the help from EGBT and grants from Midlothian Council. Repair was completed in 1999. The Watch House. This is located inside the gates and was built in the 18th century at a time when grave robbing was a profitable business. following an internment, family and friends would keep watch for up to 6 months to prevent Resurrectionists stealing the body and selling it to a medical school. Before restoration the watch house was just a pile of stones and the restoration work started by the group was later finished by professional stonemasons. The Perimeter Wall. "Scottish Conservation Projects", mainly funded by EGBT, carried out several 'Action Breaks' to rebuild the wall using traditional lime mortar. Gravestones. May of the toppled or broken gravestones have been re-ercted and repaired using the services of a local stonemason. This work will be ongoing for some time yet. The area of the graveyard and all the gravestones have been plotted on a grid plan. In conjunction with the group known as "Th Recording Angels", who are recording all the stone monuments in Midlothian, we produced a booklet detailing all the stone including, where legible, their inscriptions.