Greyfriars Bobby

Category

Library Item

Item no

27042

Title

Greyfriars Bobby

Artist / maker

Unknown

Date

1865

Type

Reproduction

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.

Exhibitions with this item

Other views of this item

Related images

Related subjects

Animals > Mammals > Dogs

Places > Scotland > Edinburgh