To some, Greyfriars Bobby is just the ‘Edinburgh dog statue’. To others, it’s the story of absolute loyalty. Ask any “Edinburger”, and they will be able to tell you the tale of Greyfriars Bobby.
If you don’t know the full Edinburgh Bobby story then you’re in for an absolute treat! This hometown hero is the Scotland capital’s most popular tourist attraction, with people travelling from all over the world to hear the tragic story of a Skye Terrier named Bobby. By the end of this article, you’ll want to pay tribute to the Statue of Bobby Greyfriars and toast to his loyalty and devotion at the Greyfriars Bobby Bar too.
Let’s delve deep into the true story of Greyfriars Bobby and Edinburgh’s love affair with this legendary Greyfriars dog.
The Tragic Story of Greyfriars Bobby
While there are several versions of the Greyfriars Bobby story, the most famous is that Bobby belonged to a man named John Gray (sometimes referred to as Auld Jock).
That best-known version of the story of Greyfriars Bobby begins in 1850, when a gardener called John Gray arrived in the Scottish capital, Edinburgh. Unfortunately, John was unable to find work as a gardener in Edinburgh so he decided to take on work as a night watchman with the Edinburgh Police Force instead.
This was a lonely job, so to keep him company throughout the long nights, he decided to invest in a furry friend called Bobby, who would stay by his side throughout the long winter nights.
Bobby, a distinctive little Skye Terrier, became John’s ‘watchdog’. One that the people of the town would come to know and love as he plodded about the town with his partner John. They were not only partners, but they were also friends, and John was never seen without Bobby when he was patrolling the cobbled streets of Edinburgh.
John Gray’s Health Deteriorates
After working for many years, John’s health started to deteriorate, and he was treated by the Police Surgeon for tuberculosis. John sadly never won the battle, and he died of the disease on the 15th of February, 1858.
When he was buried at Greyfriars Kirk in Edinburgh, Bobby refused to leave the grave of his beloved owner. It was James Brown, who worked at the nearby coffee house, who noticed that Bobby spent the entire day next to his master’s grave. The man’s death didn’t deter Bobby, and this went on for weeks, months and years, even in the worst weather conditions.
Even when the groundsmen of Greyfriars Kinyard tried to evict Bobby from the grounds, he still managed to return. Impressed by his loyalty to his master, they made a shelter for the dog, placing sacking beneath two table stones beside the grave of Bobby’s master.
At the time, Bobby’s fame spread throughout the city, and crowds began to gather at the entrance of the Greyfriars Kirkyard to get a glimpse of this amazing animal. Like clockwork, at the one o’clock gun, Bobby would leave the grave for his midday meal.
The people of Edinburgh grew fond of the dog, and in 1867, when a new by-law was passed that required all dogs to be licensed in the city or they would be destroyed, they knew that something had to be done to keep Bobby safe.
The Lord Provost of Edinburgh during that period, Sir William Chambers was a secret fan of this hometown hero and paid for Bobby’s licence. He presented him with a collar in person with a brass inscription:
“Greyfriars Bobby from the Lord Provost 1867 licensed”.
Bobby’s Legacy
This licence can now be seen at the Museum of Edinburgh.
Poor Greyfriars Bobby kept guard over his master’s grace until his own death in 1872. When Greyfriars Bobby died, the people of Edinburgh looked after this wonderful animal with as much care as he guarded John Gray’s grave. You’ll be pleased to learn that they were together until the very end, and the loyal dog is buried in Greyfriars close to his owner’s grave.
Millions of people hear this story every year, and many travel to Edinburgh just to visit the place where it first began.
Seeing the Greyfriars Bobby Statue
The statue was commissioned by Baroness Angelia Georgina Burdett-Coutts, President of the Ladies Committee of the RSPCA. The Baroness was so touched by the story and Bobby’s devotion to John that she requested permission from the City Council to build a memorial for this amazing animal.
On this iconic statue and memorial, it reads:
“A tribute to the affectionate fidelity of Greyfriars Bobby. In 1858 this faithful dog followed the remains of his master to Greyfriars Churchyard and lingered near the spot until his death in 1872.”
It was created by the artist William Brodie in 1872 and has stood the test of time and will continue to for many, many more years.
If you are planning a visit to the beautiful city of Edinburgh, this is a must-see attraction.
Where is Greyfriars Bobby Statue in Edinburgh?
You will find Greyfriars Bobby at Greyfriars Kirkyard. The museum here is open during the summer months and tourists can visit to hear more stories about this world-famous dog.
There is also the Greyfriars Bobby’s Bar in Candlemaker Row and George IV Bridge, which is next to the statue – one of the most photographed pubs in Scotland. It is no surprise that this cosy waterhole is both a human and dog-friendly pub, and many of the locals bring their proud pooch along for a pint!
Edinburgh’s Good Luck Charm
Over the years, the black nose of this Edinburgh famous dog statue has started to become shiny from all the tourists rubbing the nose of the legendary statue. Many believe that it will bring them good luck in the future and encourage close relationships like the best friends that Auld Jock and Bobby were.
Edinburgh council have discouraged you from touching Greyfriars Bobby’s nose as the constant touching has damaged the underlying brass metal. Bobby’s nose and even parts of his chest are now shiny. Although many locals and tourists believe in this tradition. A spokeswoman for the council has said:
“While he enjoys attention from visitors and loves to have his photo taken, Bobby gets distressed when people rub his nose.”
So if you do decide to visit this unique landmark in Edinburgh, take lots of pictures but be gentle with Bobby and let his devotion be a lesson to take with you.
While in Edinburgh, be sure to check out other major attractions like Old Town, Royal Mile and Edinburgh Castle.
Bobby Greyfriars Tour
Tours at Greyfriars run by the Kirkyard are on from April to October; they take place every Thursday at 11 am unless the venue is closed for a private booking.
Prices start at £8 for adults and £6 for children. Children under the age of 5 years go free (but a place must be reserved). For groups of over 15 people, the charge is £6 for adults and £4 for children.
The legacy of Greyfriars Bobby continues to this day, with several books and movies that have been based on Bobby’s life. This includes a fantastic novel, ‘Greyfriars Bobby’, by Eleanor Atkinson, as well as two movies: ‘Greyfriars Bobby’ (1960) and ‘The Adventure of Greyfriars Bobby’ (2006).
This location is not only home to Bobby, but it was once the supposed inspiration for many Potter characters, as JK Rowling would visit the site often while she was writing the series. You can see graves said to have inspired important characters like Tom Riddle, Hermione Granger’s parents, and Professor McGonagall at the cemetery.
