Greyfriars Bobby

Greyfriars Bobby is a Skye Terrier dog associated with the Greyfriars Kirkyard in Edinburgh, Scotland, during the 19th century. After the death of his owner John Gray, Bobby became known for spending many years at the Greyfriars Kirkyard, where Gray was buried, and this behavior gave rise to a narrative that became synonymous with the city. Events attributed to Bobby and this story are commemorated in Edinburgh through a tomb, a statue, and various exhibitions. Additionally, the story has been adapted into different cultural representations, including a 1961 film by Walt Disney.

Statue Erected in Honor of Greyfriars Bobby (Photo: Nisanur Emral)

Historical Background

The events associated with Greyfriars Bobby began in the mid-19th century in Edinburgh. In 1850, a gardener named John Gray moved to Edinburgh with his wife and son. Unable to find work as a gardener, he began employment as a night watchman with the Edinburgh Police Force. During this time, Gray took with him a small Skye Terrier named Bobby to accompany him on his nightly patrols. The pair became a familiar sight, patrolling the streets of the city together.

John Gray’s health gradually deteriorated, and he was treated for tuberculosis. He died on 15 February 1858 and was buried in the Greyfriars Kirkyard. After Gray’s death, it became known that Bobby remained at the cemetery and refused to leave the area where his owner was buried. Attempts by cemetery staff to remove the dog were unsuccessful, and eventually, permission was granted for Bobby to stay. A shelter was provided for him near the grave.

Every day at 13:00, Bobby would leave the cemetery to visit the café he and Gray had frequented, where he would follow a carpenter named William Dow and receive food. He would then return to the cemetery. The local population’s provision of food and care contributed to Bobby becoming a well-known figure in the city.

In 1867, a regulation was introduced in Edinburgh requiring all dogs to be licensed. In response, the then Lord Provost of Edinburgh, Sir William Chambers, paid Bobby’s licensing fee and provided him with a collar inscribed with the text: ''Greyfriars Bobby from the Lord Provost 1867 licensed.'' This collar was later displayed at the Edinburgh Museum.^【1】

Death and Burial

Greyfriars Bobby died in 1872. After his death, he was buried in a location just outside the Greyfriars Kirkyard, near the area where the later statue was erected. His grave is situated close to the statue’s current location.

Bobby’s Grave (Photo: Nisanur Emral)

Following Bobby’s death, various monuments and markers were erected in his memory. In 1873, a granite fountain and a statue of Bobby were installed opposite the Greyfriars Kirkyard. The statue was placed near the entrance to the cemetery. Additionally, a memorial tombstone dedicated to Bobby was placed within the cemetery grounds. This memorial is located near the main entrance to the cemetery, just in front of the church’s eastern facade.

Cultural Impact and Representations

The narrative associated with Greyfriars Bobby gained widespread recognition in Edinburgh from the second half of the 19th century. As locals began to recognize Bobby for remaining at the cemetery, the story achieved local prominence. The emergence of physical elements such as the tomb, statue, and monument helped make the narrative visible in the public sphere.

In the 20th century, the story of Bobby became the subject of various cultural productions. In 1961, Walt Disney released a film adaptation titled Greyfriars Bobby: The True Story of a Dog. The Skye Terrier portraying Bobby in the film was later given to William Merrilees, then Chief of Lothian and Borders Police. It is reported that the dog was subsequently given to the family of a police officer and lived out its life in Edinburgh.

The burial site of the dog that portrayed Bobby in the film was eventually lost. In 2023, the remains of the film’s dog were rediscovered through a volunteer campaign and were displayed in a special casket made from an old cherry tree, as part of an exhibition held at Greyfriars Kirk by the Grassmarket Community Project.

The exhibition was loaned to the church by the City of Edinburgh Council’s archaeology collection. It sheds light not only on the dog’s life after the film but also on its contributions to charitable causes in the city.^【2】

Cinematic Adaptations

Greyfriars Bobby: The True Story of a Dog

The story of Greyfriars Bobby was adapted for cinema in 1961 by Walt Disney under the title Greyfriars Bobby: The True Story of a Dog. The film portrays events connected to Bobby and John Gray and is among the cinematic adaptations of the Greyfriars Bobby narrative.

The film featured actors such as Donald Crisp, Laurence Naismith, and Alex Mackenzie, and received positive reviews for its successful depiction of 19th-century Scottish atmosphere.

Greyfriars Bobby

The story of Greyfriars Bobby was adapted again for cinema in 2005. The film, titled Greyfriars Bobby, depicts events set in 19th-century Edinburgh.

Starring Christopher Lee, James Cosmo, and Oliver Golding, the film retells Bobby’s story through themes of childhood and social solidarity.

The film won the ASPI Award at the Castellinaria International Festival of Youth Films in 2005. It also received a “Palm Dog – Special Mention” at the Cannes Film Festival that same year.^【3】