Greyfriars Bobby

Took a walking tour of Edinburgh today, during which our wonderful tour guide regaled us with the story of “Greyfriars Bobby” and being the kind of guy that I am I will pass that story onto you.

Long ago, around the 1850’s,  the night watch man of Edinburgh, John Gray would wander the graveyards keeping at bay any potential body snatchers. By his side, through rain hail or shine was his dog Bobby. A tiny scotty dog. The two were inseparable. For two years John and Bobby would wander around, until an unfortunate bout of tuberculosis killed John Gray.

John was laid to rest at Greyfriars cemetery with the all the usual ceremony that was common for the time. After the funeral Bobby stayed by the grave, patiently waiting his masters return. Bobby waited, day after day, always at the same spot. Just waiting. He became a bit of a legend in Edinburgh with the towns folk. One day bureaucracy came knocking at Greyfriars, as it tends to do, and it was pointed out that as was law a dog without an owner must be destroyed. The community was mortified.

He couldn’t be put down, he is waiting and watching over his master. He was loved by everyone. But rules were rules and the law wasn’t budging. Something had to be done. Finally someone had the idea that the only way to save Bobby was to make him a citizen. Of course Bobby being a dog and all couldn’t take a citizenship test, so what did they do? With great celebration and ceremony Bobby was given the keys to the city. As an honorary citizen Bobby was no longer in danger of being destroyed and stayed by his masters side until he died nearly 14 years later.

Bobby was buried on the grounds of Greyfriars, close to his master, with a headstone commemorating him. A Pub near by is named after him, and a statue of Bobby stands out the front.

While the Wikipedia article paints a much less romantic picture of how Bobby was saved from an untimely death, I find the story I heard much nicer. Interestingly, as our guide told this story I was reminded of Hachiko, of Shibuya with almost exactly the same story. Does every country have their devoted dog story?

For photos of my walking tour of Edinburgh, hit the jump!

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