03/04/2023
Today I had the honour of sending the iconic little film star – Greyfriars Bobby on his final journey to the Rainbow Bridge. There was so much to hear about this wee chap’s journey that I thought I’d share it with everyone.
Bobby, the Skye Terrier, was initially a stray dog who went on to find fame when he played the part of “Greyfriars Bobby” in the Walt Disney 1961 film. After the film was released, Bobby went on to raise thousands of pounds for charity through a string of special appearances.
Bobby was gifted to Chief Constable William Merrilees by Walt Disney as a thanks for all the help that Mr Merrilees had provided with film production.
From 1963, Bobby lived in Morningside, Edinburgh, with Chief Inspector John Turner and his family until Bobby’s death in 1974. His body was laid to rest at Mr Merrilees former home in Dolphinton, South Lanarkshire.
After learning that the Dolphinton site was set to be bulldozed and that Bobby’s gravestone and memorial statue had been sold off by the landowner, John Turner’s nephew, David Hunter, led the search to find Bobby’s grave. David was assisted by Paul Aitken, George Gordon and Paul Macdonald, to ensure that his remains would be found and treated with the respect that they deserved. After nearly 2 years of searching through trees and woodland, Bobby’s grave was located, and his tiny coffin finally uncovered.
David has vivid childhood memories of Bobby, and was motivated to search for Bobby’s final resting place so that he could tell his grandchildren that Bobby hadn’t been forgotten.
David approached me and asked if I would be able to carry out Bobby’s cremation. Without hesitation, I said yes. Not least of all to give this wee dog the final send off that he deserved, but to help his family ensure that his life and story would be remembered forever.
A special casket made from the wood of an old tree at Greyfriars Kirkyard will hold his ashes. The casket will be on display inside the church from this Summer, which will allow all those who loved the film, to pay their respects to Wee Bobby.
