Greyfriars Bobby Day will take place at 1.30 pm on Sunday 14 January 2018 at Greyfriars Kirkyard, Edinburgh.Â
The story of Greyfriars Bobby dates back to the late 19th Century. The Skye terrier is internationally famous for faithfully guarding the grave of his master, John Gray, also known as Auld Jock. For fouteen years, Bobby was said to be resident in Greyfriars Kirkyard. He left it only on the sound of the One o’Clock gun fired from the Half Moon Battery at Edinburgh Castle – to visit a nearby coffee house for his dinner.
2018 also marks the 150th anniversary of the death of Dr Lee, the minister of Old Greyfriars, Edinburgh (pictured left). As the minister was chaplain to Queen Victoria when she came to Scotland on her frequent visits, he would have kept Her Majesty informed on how the little dog was keeping. A bust of Dr Lee and the original painting of the little dog can be seen inside the church.
Very sadly, it has been widely reported how vandals toppled over the gravestone of John Gray, just last weekend. Whilst City of Edinburgh Council are not be able to carry out repairs in time for Sunday’s ceremony marking the 146th anniversary of Bobby’s death, the commemoration will go ahead as planned.
Greyfriars Bobby Day is held annually on January 14th at the little dog’s headstone in Greyfriars Kirkyard and is attended by the Lord Provost of the City of Edinburgh.Â
As the One o’ clock Gun does not fire on a Sunday, the ceremony will begin at 1.30 following the sermon in the church. For further details please contact:
George Robinson www.1oclockgun.org