Greyfriars Bobby

Sweet little statue across the road from the National Scotland Museum and in front of the Greyfriars Bobby Pub and the Kirk and graveyard where JK Rowling took some of her inspiration for Harry Potter. Stop by either to or from one of he above locations to read the story and take a picture but please whatever you do DONT rub bobby’s nose! Apparently people have recently decided this is good luck but there is no history behind this belief and its wearing the poor pup’s nose out!

It’s a cute statue with a heartwarming tale behind it all.
You’ll likely pass it as you explore this part of town, also right near the cemetery and the elephant café, so yes, you’ll want to come to this area if you come to Edinburgh.
Apparently there’s some tradition where people are rubbing the statue for good luck, I personally don’t do it and and have read that it is actually wearing out the statue, so I’d reccommend leaving giving that part a miss.

Firstly I’d just like to write: Please DON’T rub Bobby’s nose. This is not a tradition, it’s a silly thing that only started a couple of years ago and is slowly ruining the statue. It’s also extremely BAD luck and will likely render you blind, impotent and senile within a year.
Saying all that it’s a much loved statue by locals and is in memory of our famous four legged friend that was a loyal pet to his master. Both pet and master are now buried in the local churchyard so take a wander there too after you’ve posed next to (without touching) the statue. There’s also been a movie made regarding the story if you’re interested.
(The image I’ve posted was taken in 2013, before people started rubbing his nose. It looks rather different now).
Don /​

Le Greyfriars Bobby est un cimetière impressionnant situé dans le vieux Edimbourgh.
Je passerais sur l’histoire du chien Bobby dont vous verrez la tombe à l’entrée du cimetière ainsi que les offrandes sous forme de bâton pour le petit père.
Ici reposent des célébrités écossaises et certaines tombes datent de la fin du 18e siècle (des pirates de l’époque)?
Les tombes sont très bien entretenues malgré leur âge mais ce qui est plus surprenant c’est la juxtaposition des tombes et des logements étudiants, j’ai vu certains étudiants assis sur leur balcon avec les pieds posés littéralement sur les tombes mitoyennes!
Des visites sont organisées toutes la journée et le cimetière reste ouvert tard la nuit pour les adeptes de sensation fortes.
Un lieu à visiter donc.

Really liked the food. Right in the heart of Edinburgh. Large selection of menu items. Next to cool cemetery!

If you want to get traditional scottish food, this is the place! I got Black pudding and it was delicious, i didnt know what to expert, but it was a nice surprise! The prices are a bit high, but Its worth it!

A estátua do cãozinho Bobby fica quase na entrada do cemitério. Não é difícil descobrir o lugar da estátua, mas é difícil fazer uma foto legal sem outros turistas no caminho…
A história é famosa, e já virou filme, o Bobby pertencia a John Grey. Esse veio a falecer e o seu fiel amigo permaneceu 14 anos pelo cemitério e acompanhando o seu dono. James Brown cuidou do cão dando comida e carinho. Mas dizem que Bobby nunca abandonou a região do cemitério.
A estátua é em tamanho real e dizem que se passar a mão no nariz traz sorte para seus bichinhos. Porém, a prefeitura da cidade pede que não sigam mais essa simpatia, já que a estátua está sempre com o nariz quebrado.
No cemitério, logo na entrada, a sepultara do Bobby (o cemitério abriu uma exceção e enterrou o bichinho ali, junto com seu dono) e você pode doar dinheiro para ONGs que cuidam de animais. Mais para baixo, indo a direita, você pode ver a sepultura de John (o dono) e de James (o cuidador).
O passeio é super turístico, mas é legal ir. Fuja dos fins de semana para escapar da multidão com câmeras em punho.

One of the landmarks of Edinburgh that makes up the history of this wonderful city, if you’re doing the tour then you need to make a stop here and pay tribute to the wonderful devoted dog behind the story.
Admittedly, it’s just a dog statue but I’ll bet you would be hard pressed to name any other famous dogs from history that weren’t simply Presidential pets or television stars. Laika, the Russian space dog is the only one that comes to mind. Maybe you can think of others?

3.5 stars. One of the saddest doggie stories ever. Right up there with Hachi. I believe the Futurama episode «Jurassic Bark» was based on Greyfriars Bobby. Anyway, the kirk right around the corner of the doggie statue is quite a sight to see. It’s an old Victorian cemetery with some of the most beautiful and elaborate tombstones, headstones, obelisks, wall monuments that you’ve seen. The lawns are super green and the trees are well maintained. It’s a good place to take a peaceful stroll and read all the interesting inscriptions and engravings on the headstones.
My only suggestion to the people who run the kirk would be to hire a security guard or something. We saw a line of bums benching it to take turns pooping on one of the old headstones. We only noticed because one of them screamed when the wind blew all of his «toiletpaper» (read: party napkins) across the cemetery and he couldn’t pick them up b/​c his pants were down to his ankles and half a turd was poking out of his ass.
Nothing really ruins a place of peace, solitude, and respect like a homeless literally taking a shit on the dead. Just sayin’.
Admission is free, but I doubt you can take a poop without being fined.

Loyal little dog
Waiting by his master’s grave
But was the tale true?

This is seriously probably my favorite place in Edinburgh. I have to visit every time I head to Scotland.
While the story of the devoted dog is amazing, I really go for the rest of the cemetery. The statuary is fantastic, widely diverse with stuff on the plague, the typical Presbyterian practical remembrances. It is really lovely.
Then there is the gated section, the gallows as they call it. While the rest of the cemetery feels simply like a decorated park, the gallows corner, feels different, uneasy, anxious, dare I say it… haunted. I am not normally the type of person who goes in for all that supernatural stuff, but I have to admit, there is something not quite right about that corner.
Seriously go, take a picnic, get the chills and enjoy some of the most beautiful views of the city.

The Statue is small, but if you remember the story, it’s well worth finding and seeing. I’m giving it 5 stars because it’s a childuhood movie memory for me as an enjoyable Disney movie.
We get all goo-​goo-​eyed over other statues that mean less to us, so if it makes me, personally, happy, it gets 5 stars.

I don’t understand all the five-​star reviews for a statue of a dog and a maudlin tale on the plaque. Five stars means «as good as it gets.»
Edinburgh is great and it is much better than this statue of a dog. A very cute statue of a very cute dog.
If you’re traveling with kids, read them the story the night before and take them to the statue. But then go on to The Elephant House (apparently a pilgrimage site for Harry Potter fans) for lunch.
If you don’t have children with you, stop for a minute or two, take a few pix, and then cross the street to the National Museum. The National Museum is in fact as good as it gets.

Everyone knows the story, and everyone loves the little pooch. But not everyone knows the truth behind the tale…
The tale is much more heartbreaking than the public are led to believe.
Many think that the little dog was so grief stricken he didn’t leave his masters’ side, however he was actually so utterly gutted that he actually turned to stone. The statue that tourists snap photos of everyday is the actual dog, forever wrapped in grief… waiting…waiting, for his next master to awake him from his slumber.
God bless ye Bobby

Lets not lie… it’s a wee dog. Yet it;s so much more…
I’m not going to repeat the story as it’s been said before and it would be pointless, but what a wonderful sentiment!
This is not just a dog, it stands for loyalty, love and friendship. It that’s not worth getting a picture beside, then what is?

When I moved to Edinburgh, a relative of mine told me about Grayfriars Bobby. Imust admit, while I was touched by the story — I was expecting a big statue, not something that is literally the size of your average Yorkshire Terrier. You might just miss it if you are looking for it arent keeping your eye out!
The statue aside (which I do like as a tourist attraction) isnt the only part of Grayfriars Bobby — theres a Graveyard where the poor guy and his dog are lying so give it a visit if you are feeling morbid :)

Greyfriars Bobby is a story that has travelled well across the globe. It’s the age old tale of a loyal dog who waits patiently for his master even after his death, and is touching for young and old alike.
This is a small statue erected in wee Bobby’s honour, sitting just outside the graveyard and Bobby’s bar. The Skye terrier is immortalised in all his glory near the George IV Bridge, and has been in this area for over 100 years.
If you can shimmy up to pass the many tourists huddled around him, you can give wee Bobby a pat on the head for good luck. Although he is not a fountain anymore, he is still kept in really good condition and undeniable one of the stars of Edinburgh’s tourist industry.
There is always a place in people’s hearts for a lovely dog who refused to leave his master’s side for all that time. Films are dedicated to man’s best friend all the time — the last one that springs to mind is Marley and Me. Bobby’s tale is the original, and touching in its sweet simplicity. As Bobby looked out for his master, Edinburgh now looks out for him.

Call me cynical, but I’m not entirely convinced about this story. While it’s all well and good to suggest the little mutt was being faithful to his deceased chum, anyone who’s ever passed a roadkill rabbit when taking their dog walkies will know there’s a more gruesome (and likely) explanation.
Bobby wasn’t being faithful, he wanted to feast upon his owner’s corpse.
I understand however, that the story of Greyfriar’s Bobby doesn’t have the same appeal when the little guy is chewing on a partially decomposed eyeball instead of waiting patiently on his owner’s return, so it’s best for all of us if we stick to the Disney version. For the record, that one is a sweet if very sad story, which is well embodied in this dignified and unassuming little statue.

If you’re from Edinburgh, you’ll no doubt know very well the story of the wee dog that was faithful to his master, even after his owner’s death, consequently prompting the building of the statue and monument which marks the story of Bobby, the Skye terrier.
If you’re a tourist you’re probably going to be up here anyway exploring the Old Town, so you should definitely come and gaze at wee devoted Bobby. The fact he lay on his master’s grave for fourteen years, only leaving when he needed food, has got to have earned him a symbolic pat on the head and a read of his story. A lot of the local residents used to come and feed Bobby and look after him, and the engraved dinner dish given to Bobby at the time can be seen at the Museum of Edinburgh.
Just across from Bobby’s statue, there’s the Greyfriars Churchyard where Bobby’s master was buried, and there is also the well-​established Greyfriars Bobby’s Bar, for some traditional imbibing and often live Scottish folk music.

The story of Greyfriars Bobby is one of the few that warms my little black heart. Little Bobby was the most faithful little dog, staying at his masters grave for 14 years. With the help of a few locals of course. It is worth a visit just to remember one of the nicest stories in history.
The Museum of Edinburgh on the Royal Mile has a very small Greyfriars Bobby exhibit which is worth a visit if you want to know a little more.

With free entry (as long as you’re early enough!) and so well placed (right opposite the National Museum, above Grassmarket and with the Castle looming overhead) there’s no reason to not take a walk around.
Peering into some of the vaults is still haunting, even in the middle of a hazy busy Festival afternoon as it is this time of year.

Merecido homenaje al mejor amigo del hombre en la ‘persona’ de Bobby, un terrier que pasó nada más y nada menos que 14 años cuidando día y noche la tumba de su amo fallecido. Cuando el perro murió, convertido ya en una celebridad entre los habitantes de Edimburgo, se erigió esta pequeña estatua que se colocó mirando al cementerio en el que descansaba su dueño (aunque posteriormente ha cambiado de posición).
Esta historia nos la contó un amable jubilado a mis colegas y a mi, ya que nos vio mirando la estatua como pensando por qué había un perro colocado allí, lo que demuestra que los habitantes de esta ciudad no han olvidado al pobre Bobby!
Se encuentra en la confluencia de varias calles de la zona antigua de la ciudad, que merece la pena visitar: es como retornar al pasado, aunque haya multitud de tiendas muy variadas a su alrededor con ropa de segunda mano, instrumentos de música, objetos curiosos, etc

en 1858, John Gray, originaire d’Edimbourg, mourut de la tuberculose et fut enterré dans le cimetière de Greyfriars. Selon la légende, Bobby, le fidèle terrier de John, monta la garde près de la tombe de son maître pendant les 14 ans qui précédèrent sa propre mort. Vous pourrez visiter les deux tombes. Une statue de Bobby surmonte la fontaine de granit à l’entrée du cimetière. C’est certainement le chien le plus connu du Royaume Uni.

A bit of peace and quiet in the middle of a bustling city, until you get over to the old prison gates and feel ghostly hands around your throat.
Hurry back to the safety of the doggie!

Greyfriars Bobby, der treuste Hund von Schottland
Muss man wieder was für unsere Hunde tun. Also erzähle ich Euch von einem sehr, sehr alten Freund, der ist schon so alt, dass man ihn, grau in grau, in Stein gehauen hat. Ergänzung: nur bildlich, denn unser Bobby ist nicht aus Stein gehauen, sondern aus massivem Messing gegossen.
Eigentlich könnte ich es ja auch etwas freundlicher anfangen, wir reden hier über den Treuesten der Treuen, den besten und treuesten Hund von Schottland, Greyfriars Bobby.
In Natura bewundern kann man ihn noch heute, hier im Schatten des Friedhofes, auf der Candlemakerstreet — der alten Kerzenmacherstrasse, als eines der meist besuchten Denkmäler der Stadt. Viel Ehre für so einen kleinen Hund.
Doch hinter diesem Hund steht nun einmal eine rührende Geschichte. Das erste mal hörte ich sie als Junge von 17 Jahren, bei meinem ersten Besuch in Edinburgh. Mein Cousin Brian meinte jetzt zeige er mir seinen liebsten Hund, den Greyfriars Bobby. Sagte mir damals nichts, dacht ebei dem Namen an ehesten an graue Klosterbrüder die beten.
Dann kamen wir zu dem relativ unauffälligen Denkmal, er erzählte mir die Geschichte. Vor rund 150 Jahren wurde hier in Edinburgh, auf dem Greyfriars Churchyard, dem alten Stadt Friedhof, ein Mann namens John Gray beigesetzt. Die Zeit verging, der Grabstein verwitterte, das Grab verwilderte, niemand schien sich des Toten zu erinnern, dennoch, er war nicht ganz vergessen. Da gab es noch seinen getreuen Hund, 14 lange Jahre bewachte er das Grab seines Herren, bis zu seinem eigenen Tode im Jahre 1872.
Das war der berühmteste Skye Terrier, genannt Greyfriars Bobby, seinem Herrchen so treu ergeben, dass er ihn sogar im Tode noch getreulich weiter schützte und bewachte. Für 14 lange Jahre lag er ständig auf seines Herren Grab, weg ging er jeweils nur kurz, um mal eine Kleinigkeit zu fressen.
So geht die Sage, dass täglich viele Leute vorbei kamen, und am Eingang des Kirchhofes darauf warteten, dass der getreue Bobby beim Knall der 1 Uhr Kanone der Burg aufstand und das Grab zu seinem Mittagsmahl verließ.
Ein so treuer Hund konnte ja nur geliebt sein, und zu einem Muster für die einzigartige Treue der Schottischen Terrier Hunde von der Insel Skye werden. Bei so viel und so langer Treue blieb es auch nicht aus, dass man für ihn das Geld für ein Denkmal zu seinem Gedächtnis sammelte, welches wir noch heute, nach vielen weiteren Jahrzehnten, selbst ich kenne es ja schon rund 40 Jahre, unverändert kennt und verehrt.
Doch, sagt es selbst, wie viele Hunde kennt ihr, denen man solch ein schönes Denkmal gesetzt hat? Jedenfalls war unser Bobby der erste seines Geschlechtes dem diese seltene Ehrung widerfahren ist.
Wer nach Edingurgh kommt, der kann ihn ja mal besuchen, sicherlich wird er sich sehr freuen.