James Brown - gardener and keeper of the Greyfriars Burial ground

James Anderson - upholster, Robert Ritchie and his daughter lived at 28 Candlemakers Row

The night Policemen patrolling the Kirkyard used to shine their lanterns on Bobby as he lay underneath the tablestones. They remembered him as John Gray's watchdog and gave him food.

Now available
Greyfriars Bobby Brooch
2 inches high antique effect with safety catch
Only available from this site or our catalogue

Friends of Bobby

James Brown - gardener and keeper of the Greyfriars Burial ground in the 1800's. His job was to keep the gates locked and not to allow intruders in. He claimed to be the first to recognise Bobby, and tried on many occasions to put him out of the Kirkyard. In the end he relented and fed and sheltered Bobby by placing sacking underneath the two tablestones at the side of John Grays grave. James Brown a well educated man, author of "Epitaphs and Inscriptions in Greyfriars Burial Yard" and "Guide to Deeside".

James Anderson - upholster who lived at 28 Candlemakers Row which backed onto the Kirkyard, used to watch Bobby in the Kirkyard and fed him occasionally.

Robert Ritchie and his daughter - also lived at 28 Candlemakers Row. Robert Ritchie along with James Anderson took Bobby to the Council Chambers to see the Lord Provost concerning Bobby, a new regulation required that all dogs must be licenced or they would be destroyed.

William Dow - joiner and cabinet maker at George Herroit's Hospital, now School. frequently used the private path leading through the Kirkyard to the Coffe House, and was often occupied by Bobby. His daughter wrote to the Scotsman in 1953, remembering the little dog running to her father and following him to the Coffee House where he was given a meal, this was around the time of 1859.

Sergeant Scott - Royal Engineers billeted at the Castle for special duties priming the one o'clock gun, became friendly with Bobby and used to take him to the Castle and introduced him to his friends.

Sir William Chambers, LLD - Lord Provost from 1865-1869, a dog lover and Director for the Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Sir William without reservation decided to pay Bobby's licence and presented him with a collar with a brass inscription "Greyfriars Bobby from the Lord Provost 1867 licenced" this can be seen at the Museum of Edinburgh. Sir William Chambers was co-founder along with his brother of the Chambers Dictionary.