GREYFRIARS BOBBY
In the early 1800's a man called John Gray arrived in Edinburgh with his family in search of a job. He took any work he could find, and so he finally became a member of the Edinburgh Police Force.
He bought a Skye Terrier dog and named him Bobby. He loved his dog very much and took him everywhere. Unfortunately, John Gray fell ill. Bobby lay beside his master, trying to keep him warm, but John died of Tubercolosis in February 1858. He was buried in old Grey Friars Churchyard.
For the next fourteen years, Bobby sat and kept guard over his master's grave. He left the grave only for food and water. The owners of the local café would feed him his dinner everyday. The last owner to feed Bobby, John Traill, had a special dish made for him, which you can see in the Museum of Edinburgh.
Bobby became famous in Edinburgh. Everyday people would gather at the entrance of the churchyard waiting
to see Bobby leaving for his meal at the local café.
Bobby was well cared for by the people of Edinburgh, but he still remained loyal to his master, and he continued to stay faithfully guarding his master's grave for all those years, until he died on January 14th 1872, at the age of 16.
Bobby's grave is also in Greyfriars Kirkyard, just a few metres from his master's grave. He has a red granite headstone, which was unveiled by His Royal Highness The Duke of Gloucester CCVO, in 1981.
The inscription reads :
"Greyfriars Bobby - died 14th January 1872 - aged 16 years
Let his loyalty and devotion be a lesson to us all"