Greyfriars Bobby
إدنبرة
Greyfriars Bobby is a small stone drinking trough topped by the bronze statue of a dog. It tells the story of Bobby, the dog who, it is said, stayed near his master for 14 years.
A story of loyalty
Bobby was a little dog with long fur. He followed his master, John Gray, on his night patrols through the city. When John passed away in 1858, Bobby stayed in the neighbourhood for 14 years.
A famous dog
Bobby became a legend while he was still alive. Every day he went out for lunch at a nearby coffee house. Visitors from all over the city came to see him. In 1867 a new law required a licence for every dog: someone paid for his.
The statue
An English noblewoman who loved animals paid for the statue. The sculptor William Brodie modelled it from life, the same size as the dog. Below the statue there are two basins: one high up and one low, near the ground. On the base, a plaque remembers his loyalty.
Bobby today
The statue is one of the most visited in the city. Some historians think the story was polished up a little over time. But every day families arrive from all over the world. For everyone, Bobby is still the symbol of loyalty.
