In the intervening years since the closure of the paper industry, new industry has filled the breach to sustain employment and prosperity in Penicuik. Firms which have set up in recent years include Edinburgh Crystal which has a world - wide reputation for its product and craftsmanship while many people are drawn to the Edinburgh Crystal Visitor Centre. For smaller businesses, there is a well established industrial estate as well as a complex of start - up units. Recreational facilities in the town are provided by a number of fine leisure centres in addition to bowling greens, golfing facilities at Glencorse and horse riding. On the sporting front , the town boasts a rugby team and a cricket club, both thriving. Over the years Penicuik has developed a strong community spirit and this truly becomes evident in May when the townsfolk turn out for the annual Hunter and Lass Festival. Penicuik has strong connections with the French town of L'Isle Sur La Sorgue, a link which was officially established in 1978. There are regular visits made by local parties to the town in the South of France and return journeys made by the French to Penicuik. Perhaps it is only right that this twinning link should take place since, during the Peninsular War, a large number of French prisoners of war were held captive in the Penicuik area and there is still a monument in the Penicuik area commemorating the 300 or so prisoners who died wile in captivity.
Indeed the area around Penicuik is rich in historic and literary associations. On the Pentland Hills there are several, mainly Iron age, forts, the most interesting of which is Caslelaw which has underground chambers and which were also occupied during the Roman times. The best documented event to have taken place in the Pentland Hills was the Battle of Rullion Green in 1666. Rullion Green, on the edge of the Pentland, was the scene of secret meetings of the Covenanters. In 1666, the Covenanters fought, and were defeated by, the forces of King Charles II at this place. In recent years, the Pentland hills have been given regional park status and includes areas of special interst while a visitors' centre has been built at Flotterstone. Also by Penicuik is Glencorse church . Built in 1665, it is now roofless, although there are moves to have at least part of the building restored. In his youth Robert Louis Stevenson was a fairly regular attender, walking over the Pentlands from his home in Swanston to be at services . In a letter from the South Seas, where he spent his last days, Stevenson wrote to a local minister:"Go there and say aprayer for me See that it is a sunny day; I would like it to be just where the road goes down into the water, and shut your eyes; and if I don't appear to you.....".