Figure of Greyfriar's Bobby, George IV Bridge

Category

Library Item

Item no

18134

Title

Figure of Greyfriar's Bobby on drinking fountain, George IV Bridge

Artist / maker

Smith, John

Date

1927

Size

5.2 x 5.1 cm

Type

Photograph

Location

Edinburgh and Scottish Collection

This is a photograph from the book 'Origin, nomenclature and location of various houses and streets in Edinburgh'.

One of Edinburgh's most best loved stories is the legend of the devotion and loyalty of Greyfriar's Bobby. The origins the Skye Terrier are shrouded in mystery. It is likely he was owned by John Gray, an Edinburgh Police Constable, who died in February 1858 and was buried in Greyfriar's Kirkyard. According to legend, Bobby sat devotedly by his grave for 14 years.

It is however well documented that Bobby became a familiar figure around Greyfriar's Kirkyard, where he was fed and given shelter by local residents. Sergeant Scott of the Royal Engineers trained Bobby to associate the One O'Clock gun with his dinner time and from 1862 his appearances at Traill's Restaurant rooms at
6 Greyfriar's Place became a daily spectacle.
In 1867 a new duty on dogs was introduced, putting Bobby in danger as he had no legal owner. By now his story had reached important public figures and the Lord Provost, William Chambers, paid the licence fee and gave Bobby an inscribed collar. Bobby died in 1872 and a year later a memorial, commissioned by Baroness Burdett-Coutts, was unveiled.

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Related subjects

Animals > Mammals > Dogs

Architecture > Monuments > Statues

Places > Edinburgh areas > Old Town

Places > Scotland > Edinburgh

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