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Gogarburn

Gogar
Gogar Kirk.JPG
Gogar Kirk
Gogar is located in Edinburgh
Gogar
Gogar
Gogar shown within Edinburgh
OS grid reference NT1672
Council area
Lieutenancy area
Country Scotland
Sovereign state United Kingdom
Post town EDINBURGH
Postcode district EH12
Dialling code 0131
Police Scottish
Fire Scottish
Ambulance Scottish
EU Parliament Scotland
UK Parliament
Scottish Parliament
List of places
UK
Scotland
Edinburgh
55°56′06″N 3°20′02″W / 55.935°N 3.334°W / 55.935; -3.334Coordinates: 55°56′06″N 3°20′02″W / 55.935°N 3.334°W / 55.935; -3.334

Gogar is a predominantly rural area of Edinburgh, Scotland, located to the west of the city. It is not far from Gogarloch, Edinburgh Park and Maybury. The Fife Circle Line is to the north.

The name of Gogar first appears in a clearly datable context in 1233. The etymology is uncertain. It may be derived from "cog" or "gowk", a Scots term for cuckoo, a bird with known ritual significance in ancient times, or from the Brythonic term for red, "coch" (cf "Red Heughs" in the vicinity).

There are several standing stones and hill fort sites of ancient origin in the vicinity. Gogar was the site of a medieval village, Nether Gogar, which has long since disappeared, although the small Gogar Kirk (church) still stands as a reminder of the village it once served. The church dates from the 12th century; while the present building was mostly rebuilt by J. A. Williamson between 1890-1, the 16th century south transept is still intact. The church fell out of use by 1602 and was thereafter used as a mausoleum. It is currently a cabinet-maker's workshop.

On 27 August 1650, a skirmish took place around Gogar between the forces of Oliver Cromwell and General Leslie, who was camped in the area around Gogar Kirk. While the marshy ground prevented the opposing sides meeting at close quarters, both sides fired cannon upon the other inflicting some casualties.

Cromwell described the incident, which lasted from 3pm-6pm, thus:

We marched westward of Edinburgh towards Stirling, which the Enemy perceiving, marched with as great expedition as was possible to prevent us; and the vanguards of both the Armies came to skirmish, - upon a place where bogs and passes made the access of each Army to the other difficult. We, being ignorant of the place, drew up, hoping to have engaged: but found no way feasible, by reason of the bogs and other difficulties. We drew up our cannon, and did that day discharge two or three hundred great shot upon them; a considerable number they likewise returned to us; and this was all that passed from each to the other. Wherein we had near twenty killed and wounded, but not one Commission Officer. The Enemy, as we are informed, had about eighty killed, and some considerable Officers. Seeing they would keep their ground, from which we could not remove them, and our bread being spent, - we were necessitated to go for a new supply: and so marched off about ten or eleven o’clock on Wednesday morning.


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