John Gray, known as Jock, lived in around 1850. He was a nightwatchman with the Edinburgh City Police.

Jock had a little Skye Terrier to keep him company as he went on his rounds through the streets at night. He called his watchdog Bobby.

Jock became ill and died on the 15th February, 1858. He was buried in in Edinburgh. People living near the Kirkyard saw that Bobby refused to leave his master’s grave.

The keeper of Greyfriars tried on many occasions to send Bobby away. In the end, he gave up and, it is said, he made a shelter for Bobby at the side of Jock’s grave.

The story of the faithful dog spread throughout Edinburgh. It is reported that every day, people would gather at the Kirkyard waiting for Bobby to leave the grave and go to the same inn that he had gone to with his master, where he was given something to eat.

In 1867, a new law was passed that said all dogs should be licensed in the city or they would be destroyed. The Lord Provost of Edinburgh decided to pay for Bobby’s licence and presented him with a collar. The collar can be seen today at the alongside Bobby’s feeding bowl.

The people of Edinburgh took good care of Bobby, but still he remained loyal to his master. For fourteen years, this faithful dog kept watch and guard over his master’s grave until he himself died in 1872. Bobby was buried close to his master in Greyfriars Kirkyard and his headstone reads Greyfriars Bobby - died 14th January 1872 - aged 16 years - Let his loyalty and devotion be a lesson to us all.

Page 1 of 2 Greyfriars Bobby

A statue of Bobby was unveiled in November 1873, opposite Greyfriars Kirkyard. The pillar below the statue was also a water fountain, with a lower drinking basin for dogs and an upper spout for humans. In 1957, the water supply was stopped in case people became ill after drinking from it.

Today, many tourists visit Edinburgh and see the statue of Greyfriars Bobby. In recent years, some tourists have been seen to rub the statue’s nose for luck! This has led to the statue becoming worn and damaged. Edinburgh City Council now ask tourists to be gentle, after four hundred pounds’ worth of restoration work to fix Bobby’s nose is slowly being worn away!

The story of Greyfriars Bobby has been told in many books and movies and it is one of Edinburgh’s and ’s most well loved tales.

Photos courtesy of exoimperato and DncnH (@flickr.com) - granted under creative commons licence

Page 2 of 2 Greyfriars Bobby

John Gray, known as Jock, lived in Edinburgh around 1850. He was a nightwatchman with the Edinburgh City Police.

Jock had a little Skye Terrier to keep him company as he went on his rounds through the streets at night. He called his watchdog Bobby. Together Jock and Bobby became a familiar sight around the old cobbled streets of Edinburgh.

Jock became ill with tuberculosis and died on the 15th February, 1858. He was buried in Greyfriars Kirkyard, near the Grassmarket, in Edinburgh. People living near the Kirkyard saw that Bobby refused to leave his master’s grave, even in the worst weather conditions.

The keeper of Greyfriars tried on many occasions to send Bobby away from the Kirkyard. In the end, he gave up and, it is said, he made a shelter for Bobby at the side of Jock’s grave.

The story of the faithful dog spread throughout Edinburgh. It is reported that almost every day, people would gather at the Kirkyard waiting for Bobby to leave and go to the same inn that he had gone to with his master, where he was given something to eat.

In 1867, a new law was passed that said all dogs should be licensed in the city or they would be destroyed. The Lord Provost of Edinburgh at that time decided to pay for Bobby’s licence and presented him with a collar. The collar can be seen today at the Museum of Edinburgh alongside Bobby’s feeding bowl.

The people of Edinburgh took good care of Bobby, but still he remained loyal to his master. For fourteen years, this faithful dog kept watch and guard over his master’s grave until he died in 1872. Bobby was buried close to his master in Greyfriars Kirkyard and his headstone reads Greyfriars Bobby - died 14th January 1872 - aged 16 years - Let his loyalty and devotion be a lesson to us all.

Page 1 of 2 Greyfriars Bobby

A statue of Bobby was unveiled in November 1873, opposite Greyfriars Kirkyard. The pillar below the statue was also a water fountain, with a lower drinking basin for dogs and an upper spout for humans. In 1957, the water supply was stopped because of public health concerns. The main plaque on the fountain 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.

Today, many tourists visit Edinburgh and see the statue of Greyfriars Bobby. In recent years, some tourists have been seen to rub the statue’s nose for luck! This has led to the statue becoming worn and damaged. Edinburgh City Council now ask tourists to be gentle after four hundred pounds’ worth of restoration work took place to fix Bobby’s nose due to it being worn away! The story of Greyfriars Bobby has been told in many books and movies, and it is one of Edinburgh’s and Scotland’s most well loved tales.

Photos courtesy of exoimperato and DncnH (@flickr.com) - granted under creative commons licence

Page 2 of 2 Greyfriars Bobby

John Gray, known as Jock, lived in Edinburgh around 1850. When he couldn’t find work as a gardener, he became a nightwatchman with the Edinburgh City Police.

Jock had a little Skye Terrier to keep him company as he went on his rounds through the streets at night. He called his watchdog Bobby. Together Jock and Bobby became a familiar sight around the old cobbled streets of Edinburgh, in all weathers and through all seasons.

Jock became ill with tuberculosis and died on the 15th February 1858. He was buried in Greyfriars Kirkyard, near the Grassmarket, in Edinburgh. People living near the Kirkyard saw that Bobby, his faithful Skye Terrier, refused to leave his master’s grave, even in the worst weather conditions.

The keeper of Greyfriars, tried on many occasions to send Bobby away from the Kirkyard. In the end he gave up and, it is said, he made a shelter for Bobby by placing sacks beneath two stones at the side of Jock’s grave.

The story of the faithful dog spread throughout Edinburgh. It is reported that almost every day, people would gather at the Kirkyard waiting for Bobby to leave and go to the same inn that he had gone to with his master, where he was given a meal.

In 1867, a new law was passed that said all dogs should be licensed in the city or they would be destroyed. Sir William Chambers (The Lord Provost of Edinburgh) decided to pay Bobby’s licence and presented him with a collar. The collar was inscribed with this text: Greyfriars Bobby from the Lord Provost 1867 licensed. The collar can be seen today at the Museum of Edinburgh alongside Bobby’s feeding bowl.

The people of Edinburgh took good care of Bobby, but still he remained loyal to his master. For fourteen years, this faithful dog kept watch and guard over his master’s grave until he died in 1872. Bobby was buried close to his master in Greyfriars Kirkyard and his headstone reads Greyfriars Bobby - died 14th January 1872 - aged 16 years - Let his loyalty and devotion be a lesson to us all.

Page 1 of 2 Greyfriars Bobby

A year after Bobby’s death a statue was put up for everyone to see. It was designed by William Brody and was unveiled in November 1873, opposite Greyfriars Kirkyard. The pillar below the statue was also a water fountain, with a lower drinking basin for dogs and an upper spout for humans. In 1957, the water supply was discontinued because of public health concerns. The main plaque on the fountain 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.

Today, many tourists visit Edinburgh and see the statue of Greyfriars Bobby. In recent years, some tourists have been seen to rub the statue’s nose for luck! This has led to the statue becoming worn and damaged. Edinburgh City Council now ask tourists to be gentle after four hundred pounds’ worth of restoration work took place to fix Bobby’s nose!

The story of Greyfriars Bobby has been told in many books and movies, and it is one of Edinburgh’s and Scotland’s most well loved tales.

Photos courtesy of exoimperato and DncnH (@flickr.com) - granted under creative commons licence

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