Greyfriars Bobby star's ashes commemorated in Edinburgh

The remains of the Skye Terrier who starred in the 1961 Disney movie are set to be commemorated near the real-life grave of Scotland's most loyal companion

Author: Chloe ShawPublished 16th Jun 2023

The ashes of a Skye Terrier who played Greyfriars Bobby in the 1961 Disney film are being commemorated near the grave of the original in Edinburgh.

The film pooch, a Skye Terrier and also called Bobby, was gifted to former Chief Constable of Lothian and Borders Police, William Merrilees, by Mr Walt Disney after the film was released.

Following the film’s release, Mr Walt Disney gave Bobby to his friend Chief Constable William Merrilees OBE. Mr Merrilees felt that it would be better if Bobby lived with a family, so he gave him to one of his senior officers - Chief Inspector John Turner. Bobby lived happily for the rest of his days with the Turner family in Morningside, Edinburgh.

David Hunter, a relative of the Turner family, led a community campaign to find out what happened to Bobby and have his ashes interred at Greyfriars Kirk in Edinburgh.

Over the years the site of his grave had been lost. However, after hearing the site was to be developed for housing, with the permission of the developer, Mr Hunter and a team of volunteers undertook a 18 month search for his remains. As in all good stories, his remains were finally found in the final days, in January 2023.

A specially commissioned casket has been crafted from the wood of an old cherry tree that once stood in the Kirkyard. Designed and made by craftsmen from The Grassmarket Project. The casket and ashes were donated to The City of Edinburgh Council in 2023 and now form part of its archaeology collections and have been loaned to Greyfriars Kirk for this display.

The casket will be on display inside the Church together with information about the film and Bobby's charity work in the city and his life after the film.

There will be a small procession, led by a bagpiper as the casket is brought into the kirk as well as speeches about the project. There will also be three sky terriers in attendance as a little guard of honour.

The exhibition at the Church will be open seven days a week.

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