Greyfriars Bobby's Statue, Edinburgh (must see)
Ah yes鈥攏othing tugs at the heartstrings quite like a tale of undying love and loyalty鈥� especially if it involves a scruffy little dog. Meet Greyfriars Bobby, the Skye Terrier and Edinburgh鈥檚 most beloved four-legged legend, immortalized in bronze at the south end of George IV Bridge (just a tail鈥檚 wag from the entrance to Greyfriars Kirkyard).
Now, Bobby鈥檚 origin story is a bit fuzzy (pun fully intended here). Some say he belonged to a kindly policeman named John Grey; others claim that he was just a clever stray adopted by a 鈥渂obby鈥� during his beat (hence the name). Either way, Bobby and John were inseparable for two years鈥� until 1858, when John died of tuberculosis, and Bobby found himself alone in the world.
Whether Grey lived by himself or his widow kicked Bobby out when her husband died remains unclear, but this is where the tear ducts really kick in. Without a home, Bobby made one for himself鈥攐n his master鈥檚 grave. Indeed, rather than chase squirrels or sniff lampposts like a normal dog, he trotted over to Greyfriars Kirkyard and stayed there鈥攆or fourteen years!鈥攗ntil his own death. Through rain, sleet, snow, and the occasional curious visitor, Bobby stood guard with a loyalty that would put most humans to shame.
Usually, dogs weren鈥檛 exactly welcomed in church cemeteries, but Bobby had charm. The caretaker took pity on him and fed him, locals left snacks, and even William Chambers, the Lord Provost of Edinburgh, chipped in to pay Bobby鈥檚 yearly dog license, without which he would definitely have been destroyed as a stray.
When Bobby passed on in 1872, church rules said 鈥渘o dogs in holy dirt,鈥� so he was laid to rest just outside the gates. A local philanthropist lady had a statue erected in his honour, complete with two drinking fountains: one for people, and one for thirsty pups.
Over the years, Bobby鈥檚 story has had many versions and inspired numerous books, films, and tall tales鈥攜ou name it. His breed would change depending on who told the tale, but Bobby鈥檚 spirit always remained the same鈥攍oyal to his master beyond the grave, and always legendary.
Tip:
Wander into Greyfriars Kirkyard right behind the statue for a dose of Edinburgh鈥檚 weirder history. Attention, Potterheads!鈥擱umour has it that Lord Voldemort鈥檚 gravestone is in there somewhere, too. Loyalty and dark magic, all in one stop...
Now, Bobby鈥檚 origin story is a bit fuzzy (pun fully intended here). Some say he belonged to a kindly policeman named John Grey; others claim that he was just a clever stray adopted by a 鈥渂obby鈥� during his beat (hence the name). Either way, Bobby and John were inseparable for two years鈥� until 1858, when John died of tuberculosis, and Bobby found himself alone in the world.
Whether Grey lived by himself or his widow kicked Bobby out when her husband died remains unclear, but this is where the tear ducts really kick in. Without a home, Bobby made one for himself鈥攐n his master鈥檚 grave. Indeed, rather than chase squirrels or sniff lampposts like a normal dog, he trotted over to Greyfriars Kirkyard and stayed there鈥攆or fourteen years!鈥攗ntil his own death. Through rain, sleet, snow, and the occasional curious visitor, Bobby stood guard with a loyalty that would put most humans to shame.
Usually, dogs weren鈥檛 exactly welcomed in church cemeteries, but Bobby had charm. The caretaker took pity on him and fed him, locals left snacks, and even William Chambers, the Lord Provost of Edinburgh, chipped in to pay Bobby鈥檚 yearly dog license, without which he would definitely have been destroyed as a stray.
When Bobby passed on in 1872, church rules said 鈥渘o dogs in holy dirt,鈥� so he was laid to rest just outside the gates. A local philanthropist lady had a statue erected in his honour, complete with two drinking fountains: one for people, and one for thirsty pups.
Over the years, Bobby鈥檚 story has had many versions and inspired numerous books, films, and tall tales鈥攜ou name it. His breed would change depending on who told the tale, but Bobby鈥檚 spirit always remained the same鈥攍oyal to his master beyond the grave, and always legendary.
Tip:
Wander into Greyfriars Kirkyard right behind the statue for a dose of Edinburgh鈥檚 weirder history. Attention, Potterheads!鈥擱umour has it that Lord Voldemort鈥檚 gravestone is in there somewhere, too. Loyalty and dark magic, all in one stop...
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Greyfriars Bobby's Statue on Map
Sight Name: Greyfriars Bobby's Statue
Sight Location: Edinburgh, Scotland (See walking tours in Edinburgh)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Edinburgh, Scotland (See walking tours in Edinburgh)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Edinburgh, Scotland
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Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.5 Km or 0.9 Miles
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One of Edinburgh's most... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.9 Km or 1.8 Miles
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Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.9 Km or 1.8 Miles
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Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
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Travel Distance: 2.5 Km or 1.6 Miles
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Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.6 Km or 1.6 Miles
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Travel Distance: 2.6 Km or 1.6 Miles
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Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.6 Km or 1 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.6 Km or 1 Miles
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