The loyal terrier, Greyfriars Bobby, who famously guarded his master’s grave for 14 years after his death has been celebrated with a commemorative ceremony in Edinburgh. A Bobby look-alike, Maggie the Cairn Terrier, braved the high winds to help mark the special day 143 years after Greyfriars Bobby passed away himself.  He was later placed in the same Greyfriars Kirkyard as his master, John Gray.  Sir William Chambers, who was Lord Provost at the time of John Gray’s, death, gave the terrier freedom by buying a license and dog collar, allowing him to roam the graveyard.

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service spoke about the fire which gutted Old Greyfriars in the mid-19th century and after the sound of the one o’clock gun from Edinburgh castle was heard; the time at which Bobby is said to have left his master’s grave each day for a free meal at a nearby cafe, pupils from George Heriot School laid flowers on the grave. Jennifer Hutcheon played a “Tribute to Greyfriars Bobby”, on the bagpipes.

Deidre Brock, Depute Lord Provost, who hosted 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.”

The famous Bobby’s statue (pictured) was erected a year after his death in 1872 by the Ladies Committee of the RSPCA.

The event, was is supported by local charity The Grassmarket Community Project and Edinburgh Council.

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