‘Let his loyalty and devotion be a lesson to us all’
Edinburgh is to honour the life of its most famous canine with a special event at Greyfriars Kirk today.
Greyfriars Bobby, the loyal terrier known for guarding his master’s grave for 14 years after his death, passed away 143 years ago and is buried in Greyfriars Kirkyard.
The city council is marking the date with a commemorative ceremony organised by the Library and Information Service. Among the participants will be Greyfriars Bobby lookalike Maggie the Cairn terrier, sporting a specially-designed coat and badge in honour of her double.
Also attending are members of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, who will speak about the fire which gutted Old Greyfriars in the mid-19th century, shortly before Bobby’s arrival.
As the one o’clock gun sounds, the time at which Bobby is said to have left his master’s grave each day for a free meal at a nearby café, pupils from George Heriot School will lay flowers on the grave. This will be followed by ‘Tribute to Greyfriars Bobby’, played on bagpipes by Jennifer Hutcheon.
Deidre Brock, Depute Lord Provost, who will host the event, said:”Greyfriars Bobby, whose memorial reads ‘Let his loyalty and devotion be a lesson to us all’, still inspires enormous affection and respect in people across the globe.
“Even now visitors flock to see his grave, his statue, and the many mementos of his life displayed in our Museum of Edinburgh, marvelling anew at the timeless story of the little dog who would not leave his master’s grave.”
After the death of Bobby’s owner John Gray, the then Lord Provost, Sir William Chambers, ensured the dog’s freedom by purchasing a license and dog collar, allowing him to roam the graveyard.
Capturing the hearts of passers-by every day, Bobby’s statue was erected a year after his death in 1872 by the Ladies Committee of the RSPCA, and has since become a landmark for the capital.
Such is the popularity of Bobby’s statue that the wee dog famously had to have a ‘nose job’ in 2013 – hundreds of thousands of citizens and tourists have rubbed Bobby’s nose for good luck over the years and his nose had to be renewed!
Today’s event, which is supported by local charity The Grassmarket Community Project, will also involve members of the Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home, who will be running a special Greyfriars Bobby-themed stand at the Central Library from 10am till 2pm.
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