Bobby's Blog

The Sinclair Fountain was dismantled and put into storage in 1925. The top section of the fountain can still be seen standing beside the public walkway connecting Roseburn and Leith.

Catherine Sinclair and her sisters Elizabeth and Margaret lived at 133 George Street in the New Town.

Greyfriars Kirk opens to visitors on Monday 17th August at 11.00 am. Children and dogs are welcome. The world famous painting of the terrier by John McLeod can be seen in the Visitors Centre.

Catherine donated the funding to set up a drinking fountain for horses, dogs and the members of the public at the west end of Princes Street in 1859. The fountain caused traffic congestion especially when tramlines were laid along Princes Street for the horse-drawn trams and was moved twenty feet from its original location in 1889.

Catherine Sinclair worked to improve the conditions of the people living in the city. She opened a canteen for working men and women and students at 33 George IV Bridge in 1864. She also opened a canteen at 6 Queensferry Street at the city’s west end. The company’s name was the Ulbster Cooking Depot.

Catherine Sinclair who lived in Charlotte Square at the city’s west end specialised in writing books for children.

Bristo Port lay directly opposite the narrow, cobbled lane leading to the main gate of Greyfriars Kirkyard. The Hole in the Wa’ public house sold Campbell, Hope & King’s ale.

The Hole in the Wa’ public house was situated at number one Bristo Port directly across from Traill’s Temperance Coffee House. Greyfriars Bobby was said to frequented the pub. The statue on the drinking fountain faces the spot where the pub stood. The pend leading to Society Buildings lay to the left hand side of the pub.

A mobile platform will arrive at Greyfriars on Monday. The workmen will remove the weeds including the vegetation which was unable to be reached by ladder.  Glyphosate plugs will be inserted into the larger stumps to prevent regrowth.

Greyfriars Kirk opens to visitors at 11.30 on Monday 17th August. We’d be glad to see you if you decide to come in and take a look around the historic building. The illustration by Phillimore shows Old Greyfriars. Bobby is buried in front of the gable end of the church.