This adorable doggo gets a lot of love and snoot boops from tourists and passersby on the street as it’s believed that the statue’s nose will bring about “good luck” if rubbed.
This is Greyfriars Bobby. He was an adorable and loyal Skye Terrier who, legend has it, spent 14 years guarding the grave of his owner, John Gray, until he passed away in 1872. Greyfriars Bobby’s story is well known throughout Scotland and is the subject of several books and films.
The best-known version of the story is that the dog belonged to John Gray, who worked for the Edinburgh City Police as a night watchman. When John Gray died he was buried in Greyfriars Kirkyard. Bobby then became known for spending the rest of his life (nearly 14 years) sitting on his master’s grave.
In 1867 Sir William Chambers, who was a director of the Scottish Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, paid for his dog license and even gave him a collar, which is now preserved in the Museum of Edinburgh.
Greyfriars Bobby is buried just inside the gate of the churchyard, not far from his owner’s grave.
Travel Note: For anyone who thinks they can just cut through Greyfriars Kirkyard as a shortcut to anywhere, NOPE, you’d be wrong. Very wrong. And if you are allergic to anything green or pollinated, then lord help you because in spring it is lush and green with all sorts of wonderful allergens flying around in the air. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.