Greyfriars Bobby Fountain, Memorial fountain near Greyfriars Kirkyard, Edinburgh, Scotland
Greyfriars Bobby Fountain is a granite monument featuring a bronze statue of a Skye Terrier, with a polished basin surrounding it for water. The memorial stands at the southern end of George IV Bridge, positioned near the National Museum of Scotland.
The monument was commissioned in 1873 by Lady Burdett-Coutts to remember a dog who kept watch over his owner's grave for 14 years. Sculptor William Brodie created this work as a tribute to an animal whose loyalty became a well-known story in Edinburgh.
The fountain honors a local dog whose story touched people's hearts and remains part of Edinburgh's identity. Visitors come from around the world to pay respects to this four-legged resident and connect with the city's affection for the animal.
The fountain sits in a busy location with good access to public transportation and nearby museums and attractions. Walking to the site is straightforward, and the area offers easy access to other places worth visiting in the neighborhood.
The monument originally had two bronze drinking cups hanging from chains so passersby could drink, but the water supply stopped in 1957. These details are rarely noticed today, yet they show how this fountain once served a practical purpose beyond mere remembrance.
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