The most famous dog in Scotland is loyal to a fault and was beloved by Queen Victoria — but at risk of being reduced to history books alone
Mollie Davies falls in love with the Skye terrier, the breed of Edinburgh's famous Greyfriars Bobby.
Famed for their low to the ground bodies and gorgeously long, luscious coats, Skye terriers may look handsome (at least when groomed), but they have a history as hardworking companions. Beneath all that hair is an incredibly loyal, fearless and dignified dog whose history still ripples across Scotland today.
If you've ever visited Edinburgh, chances are you've come across Greyfriars Bobby, the bronze statue commemorating Scotland's most famous canine (below). Bobby belonged to John Gray, a night watchman, and when Gray died in 1858, the little terrier reportedly refused to leave his grave. For 14 years, through rain and snow, he kept watch in Greyfriars Kirkyard, winning the affection of locals and visitors alike. To this day, Bobby remains the ultimate symbol of the Skye terrier. Devoted, and stubborn enough to follow his heart.
Greyfriars Bobby's little nose is golden because of how often tourists rub it for good luck.
John Gray’s best friend might be the Skye terrier we all know and love, but Queen Victoria technically got there first. Her dog Islay helped turn the breed into a royal favourite, and the rest of society quickly followed. Skye terriers became a fixture of aristocratic life, and, by the Victorian era, it was said duchesses would be embarrassed to be seen in the park without one at their heels. Queen Victoria herself called Islay ‘my faithful little companion’ and ‘a great darling’.
Curiously, there’s a pattern of the breed appearing in bronze. It is not just Greyfriars Bobby — Queen Victoria’s Islay is commemorated with a statue in Sydney, while Robert Louis Stevenson’s Skye terrier, Cuillin, appears alongside the novelist in a memorial at Colinton Parish Church, in Edinburgh.
The Skye terrier’s royal connections, however, stretch further back than Victorian drawing rooms. One of the original terriers of the Hebrides, and by some accounts perhaps the oldest terrier breed in Scotland, the Skye can be traced back at least to the 14th century.
By the late 16th century, Dr John Caius, physician to Elizabeth I, was already noting the breed’s distinctive presence and working ability in Of Englishe Dogges (1570). These were not ornamental dogs, but hunters of fox, badger, otter and vermin — small, sure footed and far quicker than their long, glamorous coats might suggest. Elizabeth I’s cousin, Mary, Queen of Scots, owned one too, and eyewitness reports detail it hiding in her skirts on the day of her execution.
Far from absurd, the Skye terrier's 'fringe' has a very practical purpose.
The Skye terrier’s appearance has changed considerably since the days of their royal status, shaped by its journey from working dog to show ring favourite, and companion. The breed became longer and heavier in body, with a more profuse coat encouraged by show standards. That coat comes with a commitment — weekly grooming is the bare minimum.
Typically weighing 16-18kg and living for around 12-15 years, the Skye terrier is suited to indoor life and adapts to both city and country settings. One of their most distinctive features is a veil of hair over the eyes, originally bred as protection when working through dense brush. Coat colours range from black and grey to fawn and cream, all with black points, and occasional small white chest markings. Their body is twice as long as it is tall, with short legs and two ear variations — pricked (most common) or dropped.
Despite the breed’s past popularity, numbers have fallen sharply. With fewer than 4,000 estimated worldwide, the Skye terrier is now classified as a ‘Vulnerable Native Breed’ by the Royal Kennel Club, and in 2025 just 33 new registrations were recorded.
Loyal by nature, Skye terriers can be a little territorial, especially over the person they bond most closely to. They respond best to patient training and a sense of humour, as they are not the most pliable of dogs. But with their unmistakable silhouette and striking coat, they are affectionate, clever, and full of character — well worth the extra grooming. One hopes they’re never reduced to history books alone, but continue turning heads for years to come.
