Terriers and owners pipe up for Bobby

Published on Monday 5 May 2008 10:37

AROUND 50 terriers and their owners – many wearing 19th century costume – paraded to Greyfriars Kirkyard as a tribute to Edinburgh's most famous dog.

Lord Provost George Grubb raised a toast to Greyfriars Bobby at the city's first ever civic reception for dogs to mark the 150th anniversary of the loyal hound's first appearance.

Bobby spent 15 years watching over his owner John Gray's grave, after he was buried in the kirkyard in 1858.

The Skye Terriers Club organised a parade, led by a piper, from the Castle Esplanade with the One O'Clock Gun Association and the city council.

The assistant minister of Greyfriars Kirk, Jane Blackley, held a special service outside for the terriers and owners, where wreaths will be placed on Bobby's grave.

Cllr Grubb said: "This was certainly different from any other event that has taken place in the Lothian Chambers.

"It's great that the dogs are coming together because, despite the fame of Bobby, the Skye terrier breed is endangered nowadays. It would be an awful shame if the breed, which has such strong links with Edinburgh, was lost."