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Historic Liberton |
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The present church building was constructed in 1815 on the foundations of a
previous church which had been destroyed by fire.
Although there is evidence that a Celtic chapel existed here in the ninth
century, the original site for a chapel at Liberton was granted
by King David I in the Great Charter of Holyrood, signed in 1143.
In the fourteenth century, the chapel was turned into a rectory for the
ingathering of tithes.
With the Reformation, Liberton Kirk became the parish church, has
remained so to the present day, and with God's help will continue well
into the future.
Liberton is one of the old villages which have been incorporated into the City of
Edinburgh.
The parish was formed from four communities :- Kirk Liberton, Over Liberton,
Liberton Dams, and Nether Liberton.
Kirk Liberton was centred round the church, school and a schoolhouse
dating from the 18th Century which was converted into what is now the
Liberton Inn. Dr Guthrie's Boys School, which opened in 1888, is now a
residential care home.
Over Liberton which lies half a mile west of the church, includes
Liberton Tower, built in the 15th Century. It is fully restored and is now available
as holiday accomodation.
Liberton House was built in the 16th Century and, complete with its garden, is
being restored to its former glory.
The Balm Well of St Katherine which probably dates from the 15th Century was
used for many centuries as a healing well. It stands in the grounds of St
Katherine's House which has been restored and is now a restaurant.
Liberton Dams, which lies half a mile north of the church, at the foot
of Liberton Brae, and is the smallest of the four communities, once boasted a
school, a dairy and a mission hall. Little now remains.
Nether Liberton also lies north of the church and is clustered around
Gilmerton Road and Craigmillar Park. The area has a mill building still standing,
including the remains of its iron wheel. Other buildings include Nether
Liberton Doocot, probably the largest in Edinburgh, dating from the 15th-16th
century.
Inch House, which lies within the Inch Park, dates from the early 17th century,
probably had a moat, and is now a community centre.
Famous families from the Liberton area have included Littles, Trotters,
Goods, Wauchopes and Dalmahoys.
For those wishing further information on the history of this area, we would
recommend Villages of Edinburgh by Malcolm Cant, from which the
above information has been extracted.
For those interested in genealogical research, our churchyard has over two hundred
gravestones, all pre-1855. There are also a few inside the church itself!
We have now completed our survey - click on the Ancestors
button to see the list of names.