Gogar

Described and illustrated in Walker (1887) as a "plain but moulded example of French character"; the suggested date is the early 14th century. The extant basin is cylindrical with two roll mouldings, one at the top and the other at the bottom of the basin sides. It has a central drain. Walker (ibid., p. 357) wrote: "It seems a pity that this fine font should be left to the mercy of the elements and possible mischief [...] Surely room could be found within the fine old church of St John the Baptist for this interesting relic of Gogar church; a very few shillings would cover the cost of removal. The curious apathy of the Scottish people and Scottish clergy is difficult to understand in such matters." Described and illustrated in MacGibbon & Ross (1896-1897, v. II: 306 and fig. 736), who write that it "would appear from its mouldings to be of first pointed date", and identify the base as modern. The BB [Boys' Brigade] 'A Brief History of Our Church' [http://13edinburgh.boys-brigade.org.uk/Church.html] [accessed 20 November 2006] notes about the baptismal font in the south transept baptistery: "The early medieval stone font came from Gogar church and was installed in 1955. The bowl, from about 1200, is roughly hewn and originally would likely have been lined with metal" [NB: the accompanying illustration shows the old basin mounted on a new cylindrical stem and narrow base, as well as a wooden cover]