Greyfriars Bobby

Anyone who has read any of the Jaspa’s Journey books, will know my closest friend is a West Highland White Dogses named Gravee.

Me and my friend, Gravee

Gravee comes from Edinburgh in Scotland. More specifically, he lives in Greyfriars Kirkyard, which was once home to his hero, Greyfriars Bobby.

Statue of Bobby, outside Greyfriars Kirkyard

Bobby was a Skye terrier, which are closely related to West Highland White terriers (aka Westies). This little dog is immortalised in history thanks to the unshakable Friendship and devotion he displayed to his master, Auld Jock, for 14 years, through Hot and Cold, rain and shine.

Bobby’s memorial stone, inside Greyfriars Kirkyard

Below is the story of Bobby’s dedication, taken from the prologue of Jaspa’s Journey 2: The Pride of London.

“Gravee leads them off the gravel path and onto the grass to their right. He heads deliberately for a pair of table-like tombstones set a couple of yards back from the path. Beside them is a simple, pinkish headstone marking the final resting place of one John Gray, ‘Auld Jock’, who died, the inscription proclaims, in 1858. Compared to the splendour of some of the other tombs in the kirkyard, these three graves appear unremarkable. Yet they are immortalised in Scottish folklore, thanks to one of Edinburgh’s most celebrated and unlikely heroes: a scruffy Skye terrier named Bobby.

In a display of heartbreaking loyalty, this little dog watched over Auld Jock’s grave for more than 14 years. In times of bad weather, Bobby would shelter beneath the stone tables next to his master’s burial place. Today, a little further up the path near the entrance to the kirkyard, is the twin to Auld Jock’s headstone. Just one of many tributes, scattered all around the world, to the devotion of Greyfriars Bobby.”

Below is some video shot while visiting Greyfriars Kirkyard to research the prologue of The Pride of London.

Expand the minds of you and your children by travelling the World with Jaspa’s Journey adventure novels! The first two, The Great Migration and The Pride of London, are now available in both paperback and ebook formats from Speaking Volumes! The third instalment, Jaspa’s Waterloo, is coming soon. Click here for more information.

Jaspa’s Journey: Perfect for Kids 8 – 80!

This post was inspired by this photo themes of Friend from The Daily Post and Hot and/or Cold from Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge.