Tag Archives: Bobby

Greyfriars Bobby, drawn in pencil, ink and watercolour

Greyfriars Bobby (Brewhemia)A sign of true devotion, Greyfriars Bobby deserves a pat when visiting Edinburgh. 

Skye Terrier Bobby belonged to John Gray, an Edinburgh City Policeman, who when he died in 1858 was buried in Greyfriars  Kirkyard. Bobby was then said to spend his remaining 14 years by the side of his master’s grave.

In 1867 the Lord Provost of Edinburgh, Sir William Chambers, who was also a director of the Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, paid for Bobby’s licence and gave the dog a collar, now in the Museum of Edinburgh.

A year after the dogs death this drinking fountain was commissioned by Lady Burdett-Coutts, the statue was sculpted by William Brodie.

Sketchbobby photos

Mounted prints of this drawing of Edinburgh’s most famous dog can be bought online in either 150x100mm for £18 or 200x290mm for £32 plus postage.

This sketch was drawn in pencil and then inked over the top. I then erased the pencil marks before adding a watercolour wash.

Buy a signed copy here.

Museum of Edinburgh website.

Greyfriars Bobby is honoured on the anniversary of his death, 143 years ago.

GreyfriarsBobbyAn annual commemorative event took place today at Greyfriars Kirk, Edinburgh for the capital’s most devoted dog.

Greyfriars Bobby, the Skye terrier whose loyalty has made him famous and well loved around the world passed away 143 years ago and is buried in Greyfriars Kirkyard. Aged 16 years at his passing in 1872 Bobby spent 14 of those years by the grave of his master, John Gray after the policeman’s death from tuberculosis.

 

In Greyfriars Kirk you can visit Bobby’s grave and at The Museum of Edinburgh on the Royal Mile you will find Bobby’s dinner dish and collar. It’s a lovely story of a dog’s loyalty to his owner, even after just a short period together.

 

My sketch is of the bronze statue which was created in 1873 and sits at the top of Candlemaker Row outside the Greyfriars Kirk, and Greyfriars Pub on George IV Bridge, Edinburgh.

 

 

The Museum of Edinburgh

 

More information here at the Greyfriars Bobby website