Gogar
Encyclopedia
Gogar is a rural exurb 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 of the city.
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 minor casualties.
In 2003, medieval remains were discovered near the site of the new headquarters of the Royal Bank of Scotland
. Pottery shards, rubbish pits, and animal bones were unearthed north of the A8, opposite the bank's headquarters. The items suggest the site was used for agriculture in medieval times.
In 2005, the new headquarters of the Scottish Agricultural Science Agency
was opened in farmland bordering the M8.
L-plan mansion. It was built in 1625 by the master architect William Ayton for John Cowper, whose father had bought the estate in 1601. The castle replaced an earlier building of 14th century origin, traces of which can be found in the castle's foundations. Another important historic building is Millburn Tower, a mansion with extensive wooded grounds. It has a castellated keep (built 1806), with a long range of lower building attached.
on the Fife Circle line to integrate with the tram line and provide connections to Edinburgh Airport
.
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
, Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
, located to the west of the city. It is not far from Gogarloch
Gogarloch
Gogarloch is a residential area within South Gyle, Edinburgh, Scotland. It lies near South Gyle railway station and South Gyle Broadway, 4½ miles west of the city centre. Corstorphine and Wester Broom are nearby....
, Edinburgh Park
Edinburgh Park
Edinburgh Park is a business park located in South Gyle, Edinburgh, Scotland. It is located to the west of the city, near Edinburgh Airport and the Edinburgh City Bypass. The layout of the park was masterplanned by American architect Richard Meier, and it opened in 1995...
and Maybury
Maybury
Maybury is an area on the western edge of Edinburgh, Scotland, near South Gyle and Ingliston, named after the civil engineer Sir Henry Maybury ....
. The Fife Circle Line
Fife Circle Line
The Fife Circle is the local rail service north from Edinburgh. It links all the towns of south Fife and the coastal towns along the Firth of Forth before heading to Edinburgh.-Service:...
is to the north of the city.
History
The name of Gogar first appears on a map in 1233. It may be derived from "cog" or "gowk", an Old Lowland ScotsScots language
Scots is the Germanic language variety spoken in Lowland Scotland and parts of Ulster . It is sometimes called Lowland Scots to distinguish it from Scottish Gaelic, the Celtic language variety spoken in most of the western Highlands and in the Hebrides.Since there are no universally accepted...
term for cuckoo
Cuckoo
The cuckoos are a family, Cuculidae, of near passerine birds. The order Cuculiformes, in addition to the cuckoos, also includes the turacos . Some zoologists and taxonomists have also included the unique Hoatzin in the Cuculiformes, but its taxonomy remains in dispute...
, 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
Hill fort
A hill fort is a type of earthworks used as a fortified refuge or defended settlement, located to exploit a rise in elevation for defensive advantage. They are typically European and of the Bronze and Iron Ages. Some were used in the post-Roman period...
sites of ancient origin in the vicinity. Gogar was the site of a medieval
Middle Ages
The Middle Ages is a periodization of European history from the 5th century to the 15th century. The Middle Ages follows the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 and precedes the Early Modern Era. It is the middle period of a three-period division of Western history: Classic, Medieval and Modern...
village, Nether Gogar, which has long since disappeared, although the small Gogar Kirk
Kirk
Kirk can mean "church" in general or the Church of Scotland in particular. Many place names and personal names are also derived from it.-Basic meaning and etymology:...
(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
Oliver Cromwell
Oliver Cromwell was an English military and political leader who overthrew the English monarchy and temporarily turned England into a republican Commonwealth, and served as Lord Protector of England, Scotland, and Ireland....
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 minor casualties.
In 2003, medieval remains were discovered near the site of the new headquarters of the Royal Bank of Scotland
Royal Bank of Scotland
The Royal Bank of Scotland Group is a British banking and insurance holding company in which the UK Government holds an 84% stake. This stake is held and managed through UK Financial Investments Limited, whose voting rights are limited to 75% in order for the bank to retain its listing on the...
. Pottery shards, rubbish pits, and animal bones were unearthed north of the A8, opposite the bank's headquarters. The items suggest the site was used for agriculture in medieval times.
In 2005, the new headquarters of the Scottish Agricultural Science Agency
Scottish Agricultural Science Agency
The Scottish Agricultural Science Agency was an executive agency of the Scottish Executive Environment and Rural Affairs Department. In 2008 after a review of the public sector in Scotland the agency was 'reabsorbed' into the Scottish Government becoming a division of the Rural Affairs...
was opened in farmland bordering the M8.
Notable buildings
There are a number of large 18th century and 19th century villas in the area - including Gogarbank, Over Gogar, and Gogar Park House. The most notable historical building is probably Castle Gogar, an A-Listed Scottish BaronialScottish baronial style
The Scottish Baronial style is part of the Gothic Revival architecture style, using stylistic elements and forms from castles, tower houses and mansions of the Gothic architecture period in Scotland, such as Craigievar Castle and Newark Castle, Port Glasgow. The revival style was popular from the...
L-plan mansion. It was built in 1625 by the master architect William Ayton for John Cowper, whose father had bought the estate in 1601. The castle replaced an earlier building of 14th century origin, traces of which can be found in the castle's foundations. Another important historic building is Millburn Tower, a mansion with extensive wooded grounds. It has a castellated keep (built 1806), with a long range of lower building attached.
Transport
The depot for the new Edinburgh Trams is located at Gogar. In December 2008, Transport Minister Stewart Stevenson MSP announced that there would also be a new £43m Gogar railway stationGogar railway station
Gogar station is a planned railway station and interchange at Gogar in Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom. It is to be served by First ScotRail and Edinburgh Trams.Current proposals are to call the rail station and tram stop Edinburgh Gateway....
on the Fife Circle line to integrate with the tram line and provide connections to Edinburgh Airport
Edinburgh Airport
Edinburgh Airport is located at Turnhouse in the City of Edinburgh, Scotland, and was the busiest airport in Scotland in 2010, handling just under 8.6 million passengers in that year. It was also the sixth busiest airport in the UK by passengers and the fifth busiest by aircraft movements...
.