Greyfriars Bobby Statue, Edinburgh — Visitor Guide & Things to Do Nearby

The Greyfriars Bobby statue is one of Edinburgh's most photographed landmarks, a small bronze Skye Terrier sitting atop a drinking fountain at the junction of George IV Bridge and Candlemaker Row.

The statue was erected in November 1873, just one year after Bobby died. According to the story, Bobby was a Skye Terrier belonging to John Gray, a nightwatchman for the Edinburgh City Police. When Gray died in 1858, Bobby spent the next 14 years sitting by his master's grave in Greyfriars Kirkyard, leaving only for food. The dog's loyalty captured the city's heart. The Lord Provost, William Chambers, paid for Bobby's dog licence so he wouldn't be put down as a stray.

The statue was commissioned by the English philanthropist Lady Burdett-Coutts and sculpted by William Brodie. It's Edinburgh's smallest listed structure. Visitors have developed a tradition of rubbing Bobby's nose for luck, which has polished it to a bright golden sheen, though the city has asked people to stop as it damages the bronze.

Bobby died on January 14, 1872, and was buried just inside the gate of Greyfriars Kirkyard, near Gray's own grave. His collar, with its brass inscription, is now in the Museum of Edinburgh.

The story inspired a 1961 Disney film and remains one of Edinburgh's most beloved tales. If you're on a Questo quest through Edinburgh's Old Town, Bobby is a stop where the city's sentimental side shines through.