Disney Greyfriars Bobby model sold

Jan 26 2013

A gift from Walt Disney to a Scot who helped with the filming of Greyfriars Bobby has been sold at auction.

The original plaster model of Edinburgh's world-famous Skye Terrier dog was valued at £1,000 and sold for £3,100 at Lyon & Turnbull in the Scottish capital.

The model of the loyal dog who watched over his master's grave in the city's Greyfriars Churchyard until his own death many years later was bought by the Skye Terrier Club.

Margaret Cumming, who is selling the statue and is the granddaughter of the original owner, said: "I am so pleased that 'Wee Bobby' will not only be staying in Scotland, but will actually be on Skye. This couldn't be better and I am quite sure my grandfather would be very happy."

Originally it was owned by chief constable William Merrilees OBE of Lothian and Peebles Constabulary. He was given the model by the company who made the famous statue after he helped with making the 1961 Walt Disney film about Bobby.

Mr Merrilees met and became friends with Walt Disney during a trip to America and Disney contacted the Scot to suggest filming locations for the movie Greyfriars Bobby made by Disney Studios.

As a thank-you Walt Disney gave the plaster model, "Wee Bobby" to Mr Merrilees who appointed the wee dog as joint best man at his wedding in 1968. "Wee Bobby" also regularly visited children with learning difficulties at Trinity Lodge in Edinburgh as well as attending fundraising events for charity.

A spokesman for the Skye Terrier Club said: "We are delighted to have bought the statue, he will be returned to the Isle of Skye where he will become a centrepiece to a celebration of the breed on the Island. The Skye Terrier Club are currently in the process of commissioning a statue of a Skye Terrier."