A story of True Love and Loyalty to his Master. The Greyfriars Bobby.

“Greyfriars Bobby” was the faithful companion of a policeman named John Gray who lived around 1856. Both John and the dog became inseparable friends until 1858 when John died of Tuberculosis and was buried in Greyfriars Churchyard.  His dog “Bobby” was famous because for 14 years he spent every single night at his master’s gravesite until his own death in 1872.

“Bobby” was a Skye Terrier. This dog comes from the Isle of Skye and is well known for his loyalty and companionship. Skye Terriers became very famous among the nobility for those qualities.

Edinburgh Castle was one of Bobby’s favourite places.

A tradition closely bound to “Greyfriars Bobby” and Edinburgh castle is the firing of the one o'clock gun. The legend tells of a sea captain who visited Edinburgh back in the 1860's. When he returned home, he reported that he had just seen a wonderful city, full of splendid buildings and monuments, where wise men and lovely ladies lived and where Science was studied. There was only one problem; no one knew the correct time of day. There were plenty of clocks, none of them agreed.

In 1861, the situation was put right, when city officials decided to fire a cannon every day from the castle grounds, at exactly one o'clock. Thus, all the citizens could set their clocks accordingly. The gun still sounds today.

About the time this tradition began, “Greyfriars Bobby” had made a soldier’s friend in the castle garrison,  his name was Scott. Sergeant Scott introduced “Bobby” to his companions and everyone welcomed their new furry comrade. One of Sergeant Scott's responsibilities was to assist in setting off the cannon and “Bobby” always followed him to the ramparts to witness the action.

Immediately after the one o'clock gun, “Bobby” would head for a restaurant called “The Eating House”, where the proprietor regularly gave “Bobby” his lunch. It soon became a daily attraction to watch “Bobby” go for his dinner and a crowd frequently gathered at the gates of the kirk yard to wait for him. But “Bobby” did not linger long over his food. As soon as he was finished, he raced off to the cemetery to sit patiently by John Gray's grave.

Because “Greyfriar's Bobby” is a cherished part of the Edinburgh story, his collar and dinner dish are preserved in the Huntly House, the museum dedicated to the city history. The Huntly House is a restored 16th century town house. After extensive renovation, the museum was opened in 1932.

The dog collar belonging to “Bobby” in the Huntly House is more than just a typical collar. After the death of John Gray, “Bobby” had no official owner. He was loved and regularly fed by the families and shop owners situated around the graveyard, but no one had paid for his city dog license. At the time, “Bobby” had a close brush with death, because he had no license.

James Brown, the old curator of the burial ground, told of how “Bobby” was found lying on the fresh mound the morning after the burial. No Dogs were allowed in the cemetery, therefore, Mr. Brown was obliged to chase the little dog out, but the next morning the dog was back again.  A second time “Bobby” was driven away, only to be found a third time at his usual spot, shivering on the cold, wet ground at Gray's grave.

At that point the curator took pity on the determined little dog and allowed him to stay. Even in the most horrible weather, “Bobby” would not desert his post, often howling at those who would try to coax him indoors. “Bobby” had no license and was in danger of being euthanized.

Luckily for “Bobby”, the Lord Provost of the city, Sir William Chambers was a dog-lover. As head of the town council, he was a powerful man and when the question of Bobby's licensing came up, he asked to meet the little dog. Sir William was quite taken with “Bobby” and arranged to pay his license indefinitely. “Bobby” was given a new collar, the one now on display, with a brass plate with the following inscription: “Greyfriars Bobby from the Lord Provost, 1867, licensed”.

The area of the old town where “Bobby” roamed and now lies buried contains one of the city’s most important churches. The Kirk of the Greyfriars, built in 1620, was the first new church constructed after the Reformation. It was named after the Franciscan friars. Mary, Queen of Scots, gave the land to the Burgh in 1562 to ease the strain on the town graveyard at St. Giles. Besides the graves of John Gray and Bobby, there are many fine examples of 17th and 18th century monuments in the kirk yard.

Just a few steps from the cemetery, lies the famous statue of “Greyfriars Bobby”. Behind the statue there is a pub that bears Bobby’s name in its honour.  

A year after Bobby's last watch, where he reportedly died atop his old friend's grave, the Baroness Burdett Coutts had a statue and fountain erected to commemorate the life of the devoted dog and the story of a friendship that surpassed death.

Copyright Monica Loreto