Greyfriars Bobby is surely the most famous dog in Scotland’s history. Several books and films have told Bobby’s story, including the 1961 Walt Disney movie, Greyfriars Bobby; as well as the 2006 movie, The Adventures of Greyfriars Bobby, starring Ardal O’Hanlon.
In fact, the statue of Greyfriars Bobby is one of Edinburgh’s most popular tourist attractions. So what is the story of this little dog, which has so touched the hearts of people the world over?
The story begins 170 years ago, when a gardener called John Gray, together with his wife Jess and son John, arrived in Edinburgh in 1850. Unable to find work as a gardener, “Auld Jock”, as he was better known, joined the Edinburgh Police Force as a night watchman.
To keep him company through the long winter nights, John took on a partner: a diminutive Skye terrier, his “watchdog”, called Bobby. Together John and Bobby became a familiar sight trudging through the old cobbled streets of Edinburgh.
The years on the streets, however, appear to have taken their toll on Auld Jock, as he was subsequently treated for tuberculosis, and eventually died of the disease on 15 February 1858. Bobby led his master’s funeral procession to the grave at Greyfriars Cemetery, and later, when he tried to stay at the graveside, was sent away by the caretaker. However the little dog returned and refused to leave.
The English philanthropist, Baroness Angelia Georgina Burdett-Coutts, was so charmed by the story, that she asked the City Council for permission to erect a granite drinking fountain with a statue of Bobby placed on top.
Dogs were not allowed in the graveyard, and the gardener and keeper of Greyfriars, kept trying to evict him. In the end he gave up and instead provided a shelter for Bobby, by placing sacking beneath two tablestones at the side of John Gray’s grave.
Bobby soon touched the hearts of the local residents by his decision to keep guard over his master’s grave, even in the worst weather conditions. What also caught people’s attention was the little routine Bobby had developed. Each day, as the firing of the one o’clock gun sounded from Edinburgh Castle, Bobby would leave his post, and run to the eating house, which he had frequented with Auld Jock, and then he would return to Jock’s grave.
The news of Bobby’s loyalty spread throughout Edinburgh, and beyond. On a daily basis, crowds would gather at the entrance of the Kirkyard waiting for the one o’clock gun that would signal the appearance of Bobby leaving the grave for his midday meal.
Bobby was well cared for by the kind folk of Edinburgh
In 1867, a new bye-law was passed that required all dogs to be licensed in the city or they would be destroyed. Sir William Chambers (The Lord Provost of Edinburgh, who was also a director of the Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) decided to pay Bobby’s licence and presented him with a collar that had a brass inscription, “Greyfriars Bobby from the Lord Provost 1867 licensed”. (Today this can be seen at the Museum of Edinburgh.)
Bobby was well cared for by the kind folk of Edinburgh, but for 14 years he continued to stay faithfully guarding Auld Jock’s grave, until he died on 14 January 1872. He was buried just inside the gate of Greyfriars Kirkyard, not far from John Gray’s grave.
A year later, the English philanthropist, Baroness Angelia Georgina Burdett-Coutts, was so charmed by the story, that she asked the City Council for permission to erect a granite drinking fountain with a statue of Bobby placed on top. Today the monument is Edinburgh’s smallest “listed building”.
Visitors to Edinburgh who follow the Greyfriars Bobby Tour will at some point pay their respects at the grave of the wee dog himself. Bobby has his very own red granite headstone, which was unveiled by His Royal Highness The Duke of Gloucester, in 1981. The spot is like a shrine, with sticks (for Bobby to fetch) as well as dog toys, and flowers.
The headstone reads: “Greyfriars Bobby – died 14th January 1872 – aged 16 years – Let his loyalty and devotion be a lesson to us all”.
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Greyfriars Bobby is surely the most famous dog in Scotland’s history. Several books and films have told Bobby’s story, including the 1961 Walt Disney movie, Greyfriars Bobby; as well as the 2006 movie, The Adventures of Greyfriars Bobby, starring Ardal O’Hanlon.
In fact, the statue of Greyfriars Bobby is one of Edinburgh’s most popular tourist attractions. So what is the story of this little dog, which has so touched the hearts of people the world over?
The story begins 170 years ago, when a gardener called John Gray, together with his wife Jess and son John, arrived in Edinburgh in 1850. Unable to find work as a gardener, “Auld Jock”, as he was better known, joined the Edinburgh Police Force as a night watchman.
To keep him company through the long winter nights, John took on a partner: a diminutive Skye terrier, his “watchdog”, called Bobby. Together John and Bobby became a familiar sight trudging through the old cobbled streets of Edinburgh.
The years on the streets, however, appear to have taken their toll on Auld Jock, as he was subsequently treated for tuberculosis, and eventually died of the disease on 15 February 1858. Bobby led his master’s funeral procession to the grave at Greyfriars Cemetery, and later, when he tried to stay at the graveside, was sent away by the caretaker. However the little dog returned and refused to leave.
The English philanthropist, Baroness Angelia Georgina Burdett-Coutts, was so charmed by the story, that she asked the City Council for permission to erect a granite drinking fountain with a statue of Bobby placed on top.
Dogs were not allowed in the graveyard, and the gardener and keeper of Greyfriars, kept trying to evict him. In the end he gave up and instead provided a shelter for Bobby, by placing sacking beneath two tablestones at the side of John Gray’s grave.
Bobby soon touched the hearts of the local residents by his decision to keep guard over his master’s grave, even in the worst weather conditions. What also caught people’s attention was the little routine Bobby had developed. Each day, as the firing of the one o’clock gun sounded from Edinburgh Castle, Bobby would leave his post, and run to the eating house, which he had frequented with Auld Jock, and then he would return to Jock’s grave.
The news of Bobby’s loyalty spread throughout Edinburgh, and beyond. On a daily basis, crowds would gather at the entrance of the Kirkyard waiting for the one o’clock gun that would signal the appearance of Bobby leaving the grave for his midday meal.
Bobby was well cared for by the kind folk of Edinburgh
In 1867, a new bye-law was passed that required all dogs to be licensed in the city or they would be destroyed. Sir William Chambers (The Lord Provost of Edinburgh, who was also a director of the Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) decided to pay Bobby’s licence and presented him with a collar that had a brass inscription, “Greyfriars Bobby from the Lord Provost 1867 licensed”. (Today this can be seen at the Museum of Edinburgh.)
Bobby was well cared for by the kind folk of Edinburgh, but for 14 years he continued to stay faithfully guarding Auld Jock’s grave, until he died on 14 January 1872. He was buried just inside the gate of Greyfriars Kirkyard, not far from John Gray’s grave.
A year later, the English philanthropist, Baroness Angelia Georgina Burdett-Coutts, was so charmed by the story, that she asked the City Council for permission to erect a granite drinking fountain with a statue of Bobby placed on top. Today the monument is Edinburgh’s smallest “listed building”.
Visitors to Edinburgh who follow the Greyfriars Bobby Tour will at some point pay their respects at the grave of the wee dog himself. Bobby has his very own red granite headstone, which was unveiled by His Royal Highness The Duke of Gloucester, in 1981. The spot is like a shrine, with sticks (for Bobby to fetch) as well as dog toys, and flowers.
The headstone reads: “Greyfriars Bobby – died 14th January 1872 – aged 16 years – Let his loyalty and devotion be a lesson to us all”.
Read more
The brave and loyal old Sea Dog of the Norwegian Navy
Sergeant Stubby: the most-decorated dog of WWI
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