Finding Greyfriars Bobby: The amazing story of the Scottish canine film star

by Dave Hunter

FINDING GREYFRIARS BOBBY is the heart-warming true story of the young stray dog from the Isle of Lewis that was selected to be the star of the 1961 film, Greyfriars Bobby.

Written by a member of the family who adopted Bobby, the book contains details about the film, his subsequent celebrity status in Edinburgh, anecdotes of life living with him and private family photos never been made public before.

The main plot begins nearly half a century after Bobby was buried on private land in the Scottish Borders at a funeral fit for a film star. When it’s discovered that his gravestone and monument were destroyed years ago and the land is about to become a building site, the author is compelled to act.

He embarks on a quest to find Bobby’s lost grave before he’s lost forever and bring him ‘home’ to a new permanent resting place near his famous namesake at Greyfriars Kirk in Edinburgh. Along the way, he’s joined by like-minded volunteers, who show the best of human spirit as they attempt to defy overwhelming odds.

Can they succeed in this race against time?

Genres: Nonfiction, Historical

248 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 28, 2026

Reviews

[Sheila · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free copy of, Finding Greyfriars Bobby, by Dave Hunter, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Greyfriars Bobby was in a film in the 1960's. This lovely story is told by the family who adopted him. There is great pictures in this book, a feel good story, is much needed at this time.

[sniksnak · Rating 5 out of 5]

This touching true story follows a stray dog from the Isle of Lewis who became the star of the 1961 film Greyfriars Bobby. Written by a member of the Edinburgh family that adopted him, the book shares intimate anecdotes and rare photos, capturing life with the celebrity terrier, the film’s making, and his public appearances. Bobby’s charm and loyalty made him a beloved figure for fans in Edinburgh and beyond.
Years later, the dog’s resting place is lost, prompting the author to search for it and secure a permanent home near the famous kirkyard. This quest becomes a community effort, showcasing unexpected kindness and expertise.
The story is a tribute to a remarkable dog and a reminder of loyalty’s enduring power, inspiring through love and dedication.

**I would like to express my gratitude to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
#ARC
#NetGalley
#FindingGreybriarsBobby

[Emma Musson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finding Greyfriars Bobby is a heart-warming story about the young stray dog from the Isle of Lewis who was chosen to star in Disney’s 1961 film Greyfriars Bobby, based on Eleanor Atkinson’s book and the true story — or legends — surrounding the famous dog in Edinburgh.

The novel follows Dave Hunter after he discovers that the dog his family once looked after following the filming of Greyfriars Bobby is buried on land that is now due to be developed into a housing estate. After contacting the landowner and helping to delay the development, Hunter begins a mission to find the grave of the famous dog and bring him home.

I was really interested in this book after hearing Greyfriars Bobby’s wonderful story during visits to Edinburgh. I don’t think I’ve ever watched the 1961 film, but thankfully, it isn’t necessary to have seen it to understand or enjoy this novel. If anything, reading this book has left me wanting to watch the film for myself!

This novel is truly heart-warming and such a lovely read. I quickly became invested in Hunter’s ‘hunt’ (mind the pun!) for his old family dog. There were plenty of twists and turns along the way, and I found myself not wanting to put the book down because I was desperate to find out what would happen next and, ultimately, whether he would find Bobby.

One of the loveliest things about this novel is the way it brings people together. An unlikely group of friends is formed through their shared connection to Bobby and their common goal, and their friendship is genuinely heart-warming to watch develop. There is something really special about seeing people from completely different walks of life come together for a shared cause.

The whole novel is told from Dave’s point of view, and he goes into great detail about his research and the different stages of the search. Despite the amount of detail, the story never feels boring or bogged down in information. Instead, it made me feel as though I was alongside him as the search unfolded, piecing together the clues and discovering more about Bobby’s story.

I would recommend Finding Greyfriars Bobby to anyone who has heard of the story of Greyfriars Bobby, anyone who has watched and loved the 1961 Disney film, or simply anyone who loves a good dog story. It is a truly memorable and heart-warming read, and one that has definitely made me want to learn more about Bobby’s story and finally watch the film!

[Sydtcar · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 Stars!

Finding Greyfriars Bobby was a neat story of four newfound friends on a quest prompted by love and loyalty to a little dog beloved by not just their families, but their community and country too.

I learned a good deal of history in this book that I had never heard of before. Greyfriars Bobby was a little Skye Terrier in 19th century Edinburgh who became a local icon and legend for his loyalty to his master. Upon his master's death, Bobby held a faithful vigil at his grave, accepting help and care from the locals until his passing, when he was buried in the same cemetery. In the early 1960's, Walt Disney fell in love with his story and decided to turn it into a movie. They found a Skye Terrier named Tam who bore a striking resemblance to Bobby, and the rest was history. Tam, renamed Bobby, became a star in the local community. When he retired after the movie, he began his new life as a family pet and continued for years to make charity appearances. He helped raised lots of money for children who were orphaned or had disabilities. Bobby passed away in the 1970's, and was buried on a resort property for the very children he helped raise money for. Over the years, the property changed hands, his memorial and gravestone had disappeared, and no one really knew what happened to Bobby's grave. In 2020, a relative of the family Bobby lived with, Dave Hunter, began looking into his family history. He had fond memories of Bobby, and stumbled upon a family mystery - what happened to Bobby's grave? He found out the property he was buried on was soon to be developed, and knew he had to try to find him. That decision led to the adventure of his lifetime.

I thought it was amazing where this story took the author and it was fun to learn of his new friendships. It was wonderful that a little dog in a movie who had died decades prior still had devoted fans willing to help along the way all these years later. The author gave great historical information for context, while also explaining their current quest and the struggles they faced. It was lovely that they were able to solve the family mystery and have Bobby's remains reinterred at the church for the family and future generations of fans to visit. The photos included were also very interesting to see. It just goes to show - to love a dog is to love them for eternity. Thanks to Dave Hunter for sharing this story with the world.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Troubador, and Dave Hunter for this advanced readers copy. All opinions are my own. This book is available as of May 28, 2026.

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

If ever a book tugged at my heartstrings - this one did. As heartwarming as it is poignant, Finding Greyfriars Bobby is the story of one man's quest to find the final resting place of one Hollywood's four-legged stars, before it is lost forever. 🎬
I've always loved the story of Greyfriars Bobby, both the fictional account by Eleanor Atkinson, and the true story of the little Skye terrier. I was an adult when I first saw the Disney film, based on Atkinson's book, many years after it was made. 🎬
The Bobby of this book is the wee dog who starred in that film. Dave Hunter, the author, is a relative of the family who welcomed Bobby into their home after filming finished. As well as his quest to find Bobby's grave, Dave shares Bobby's wonderful history, from stray dog to movie star to charity fundraiser. 🎬
It's hard not to become emotional as Dave begins his search for Bobby's grave. I felt his highs, and his lows. The ending though, that's what tugged on my heartstrings the most. 🎬
Thanks to Netgalley for my copy of this book.

[Jemima Pett · Rating 5 out of 5]

I hesitated. Did I really want to revisit my nine-year old self, whose heart was broken for the first time by a tale of a dog who wouldn’t leave his master’s grave. No, but the story sounded intriguing, and maybe there was more to the film than met the eye.

And so it proved.

Dave Hunter tracks down the details of Greyfriars Bobby, both the film and the legend it was based on, finding some holes in both. In doing so, he leads us engagingly through the complexity of the 1860s legend, for which there is very little hard evidence other than a dog collar, which resides in the Edinburgh museum. Then he tackles what would be one of Walt Disney’s first live action films, set in Edinburgh, with iconic Scottish actors, which then had to be re-recorded so the rest of the world could understand them!

A stray mostly Skye Terrier named Tam, is shot to stardom and renamed Bobby. He carries out his acting duties, and several years of personal appearances, raising money for charity all the way, before retiring with a relative of the author, and subsequently being laid to rest in a prominent position on the estate of a former Edinburgh benefactor, his legal owner.

Ah. Get out the tissues. I did. I’m sorry, it’s very well told, even though it sounds so clichéd.

And having finished part 1. I really didn’t think I wanted to read the rest. It sounded like a fairly boring bit of research.

Wrong. The research into what had happened to this superstar of the acting world was…gripping, intriguing, full of rabbit holes, and at times redolent of the best of Tony Robinson’s Time Team. Dave Hunter may consider himself an IT manager, but with his project management skills and get it fixed attitude, he could take on the world if he wanted. As it is, he took on a corner of SE Scotland….and left no stone unturned. Another person who proves that science and technology people can write a mean mystery. The suspense was only harmed by the publisher, who put in the final photographs before we knew the ending!

I am so glad I read this book, especially the second part. All life is here. And I’m not even that keen on dogs!

[Tarissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Who knew that a little terrier, "just a few inches tall", with a shaggy, straggled appearance, would become a movie star? From the streets of the Isle of Lewis, Scotland... to Hollywood. Tam, that was his name. Until he became Greyfriars Bobby II. And boy, did he live up to the legacy. I do believe the first Bobby would be proud of the second following in his pawsteps.

The first few chapters just flew by for me, as it was happy and exciting times in Bobby's life. After he starred in Walt Disney's 1961 film, he continued to live out his celebrity status for the rest of his days.

The second half of the book dives into Dave Hunter's full account of how he searched a four-acre forest to find the hidden grave of one small, but very special, dog.

Due to the subject matter, this book deals with multiple angles of looking at death. So I just wanted to put this trigger warning out there. -- Obviously, there's the story of the original Greyfriars Bobby who mourned over his master's grave until his own death. Then after we learn all about Bobby (the movie star)'s life, we subsequently learn of his passing. And all the rest of the book is spent on the search for his grave, and what they plan to do with it once they locate it. So the subjects in this book are rather serious, somber, and bittersweet throughout. I could see how it might be hard to read for someone suffering through grief, or the loss of a pet.

I am so pleased the author kept this as a clean read, with no foul language, nor mature topics.

Overall, the book shares a message of hope, patience, and perseverance! I would recommend to readers who are lovers of our canine friends, or any animals. Readers who usually enjoy topics similar to treasure hunting (because this is a similar situation), or if you like anything about film... give this book a try!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Netgalley, but was not required to leave a positive review.

[Tamber Fuller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fnding Greyfriars Bobby is a warm, engaging look at one of Scotland’s most beloved canine legends, and the author Dave Hunter approaches the story with a level of care that makes the book heartfelt. From the beginning, it’s clear that Hunter has a genuine appreciation for the history behind Greyfriars Bobby, and that respect comes through in the way he blends factual research with accessible storytelling. The book offers a thoughtful exploration of how a simple tale of loyalty grew into a cultural icon, and I found myself appreciating the depth behind a story I thought I already knew.

What makes this book especially enjoyable is the way Hunter brings the historical context to life. He digs into the origins, the people involved, and the way Bobby’s story evolved through film and media. The narrative gives you a clear sense of how the myth and the real dog intersect. It’s written in a way that’s easy to follow, even for those whom may not be familiar with Scottish history, and the tone within remains warm and inviting throughout.

I also appreciated the focus on Bobby as a film star. Hunter highlights how the story transitioned from local folklore to international recognition, and those behind the scenes details add a fresh angle that sets this book apart from other retellings. It’s fascinating to see how a small dog’s loyalty captured the imagination of filmmakers and audiences around the world, and the book does a great job showing why the story continues to resonate.

Overall, Finding Greyfriars Bobby is a charming, read that celebrates a timeless tale. It’s perfect for anyone who appreciates stories about animals that leave a lasting impact. Hunter’s approach is respectful, engaging, and genuinely enjoyable, making this a book I would easily recommend to others.

[Lorraine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think that Greyfriars Bobby could have been the first movie I saw in a theatre, and I've loved the story all my life. So I was excited to read this book with the history of the real Bobby and of the movie. Movie star Bobby was found as a stray on an island off the coast of Scotland and Walt Disney picked him for the role. He had a trainer to teach him how to bark on cue and dig and generally act cute. Afterwards, Disney gave the dog to a retired police detective who took him to fund raising events but for day to day living, he was placed with a family with young children. When he died he was buried at the police detective's cottage.

The author was related to the family that took care of Bobby and wanted to know where he was buried. The author decided to find his grave, but the cottage was gone and the land was being developed for houses. Luckily the developer was kind enough to give the author time to find the grave. It was a long process involving lots of questions and computer searches. I was amazed that he never gave up.

At first I thought the search was going to be dull, but as it went on it got intriguing. Lots of people had theories and different stories. Luckily one of the former property owners had pictures of the dog's grave and marker and this helped the searchers (four all together by the end) in their endeavor.

This book is very well written. Many thanks to Troubadour Publishing and NetGalley for an advance copy.

[Christina Bruce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finding Greyfriars Bobby by Dave Hunter completely stole my heart. I was genuinely sitting in Costa trying not to cry, which, as you can imagine, didn’t go particularly well! As a Scottish girl and a huge animal lover, there was absolutely no way I could give this anything less than ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐.

This book follows the incredible search for the final resting place of the beloved family dog who played Greyfriars Bobby in Disney’s retelling of the famous story. If you know the legend of the little Skye Terrier whose unwavering loyalty saw him continue to visit his owner’s grave long after he had passed away, you’ll already know just how special this story is.

I honestly wasn’t expecting this book to affect me as much as it did. The passion, determination, and sheer love that went into tracking down this little dog’s grave decades later was so moving. It’s a beautiful reminder of the bond between humans and animals, and it left me with the biggest smile (and a few happy tears).

If you love animals, enjoy true stories, or have a soft spot for one of Scotland’s most famous dogs, please do yourself a favour and pick this up. I couldn’t put it down, and I already know it’s a book I’ll come back to and reread.

A huge thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this wonderful book. It’s one I’ll be recommending to everyone.

[Susan Johnston · Rating 5 out of 5]

A child who grew up in 50s and 60s likely will know the story of Greyfriars Bobby. If they never read the book, they would have been moved to tears by the Disney movie of the same name. I know I love the story so that when I went to Edinburgh the first time, it included a trip to Greyfriars to pay homage to this devoted dog. Every day, as I passed his statue, I would say hello so when this book became available for reading and reviewing, I jumped at the chance to learn about not only the original Bobby but the amazing dog, whom they also named Bobby, who portrayed him so ably in the movie.

The author has a connection to the movie Bobby but I was gobsmacked by the determination and grit that he showed in trying to find where Bobby was buried so he could be given a well deserved place of honour. The second part of the book goes into the challenges he and a stalwart group of men endured until Bobby was found. Then there was still the roadblocks the Edinburgh bureaucrats threw up before a satisfactory solution was found.

By going through much of the debate both about the story of the original Bobby and his movie counterpart, I am happy to report that both have now found eternal repose within the gates of Greyfriars. The author’s aunt, who had known the movie Bobby well, could finally rest knowing he had been given his due. Five purrs and two paws up.

[Lori · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a copy of the book, "Finding Greyfriars Bobby. from Netgalley. I would give this book a 3.5. a bit of an unusual topic. The author whose family knew the little dog who played "Bobby" in the Disney movie "Greyfriars Bobby" writes some of the book about the actor dog when he was still alive. A good portion of this book is finding the gravesite and body of the dog who played the dog in the movie. I guess he found out the area that actor bobby was buried was going to be sold to build houses. Dave Hunter wanted to find the body before it was lost forever. The biggest part of the book is writing of the 18 months of digging and searching before they found his actual body. So I wish so much of the book was talking about he search it took, but i guess this is why they called it "Finding Greyfriars Bobby" Got to give him credit for saving the body of the dog so he could be buried somewhere else. Guess I will reveal a spoiler Yes they did finally find the dog's body so he could be {cremated and buried somewhere else} So kind of an unusual subject but a decent read.

[Robin Price · Rating 5 out of 5]

At heart Dave Hunter's book is about two famous dogs: the historical Greyfriars Bobby and the dog chosen to portray him in the 1960 Walt Disney Production which led to a celebrity career promoting worthy charities in Scotland and beyond for over a decade.
This book is a labour of love by a writer with a family connection to the second Greyfriars Bobby - it's poignant, and evocative and ultimately uplifting - and I found it fascinating, compelling and revealing.
The dogs remain centre stage throughout but into their stories walk the famous Hollywood film producer, Walt Disney, and the Chief Constable of Scotland, John Merrilees.
The author went to great lengths to solve mysteries and discover truths about both dogs, regularly challenging personal memories and local myths, before reaching conclusions sometimes at odds with local legend.
As a child, the Eleanor Atkinson novel was a favourite book of mine (along with 'Black Beauty') and I have watched the Disney film a great many times - but this book offers so much more to anyone interested in this famous true story.

[LuAnn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Initially you wouldn’t think that a book involving the search for the grave of a little dog would be compelling, but this story of the history of Greyfriars Bobby, of the Disney movie about him and of the little stray who played the lead in that movie held my interest from start to finish. History buffs, and dog and Disney fans will especially enjoy it.

The author describes the intense search for the second Bobby’s grave as a suspenseful mystery with many caring participants. Although I’ve never seen the Disney movie nor been to Edinburgh, I definitely want to do both.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Denice Langley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had just finished a fictional story where Greyfriars Bobby played a small part in the book and was curious about the character. I'm glad I found Dave Hunter's well-researched and well-written book on the popular canine star and the community that supported him on and off the screen. Humans whose hearts are owned by canines will recognize how the family who adopted him and protected him as they made the movie received much more than a friend for their efforts. The pictures and memories shared display a life well lived. Recommend to any dog lover.

[Su Thor · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first heard of Greyfriars Bobby when I was 8 years old on a trip to Edinburgh with my father. We visited his memorial and I cried. This book brought these early experiences back to me. It is well written and the author is clearly passionate about this story and this comes through in the page of it. I loved it. You will love it too. It is a story which must be heard of the devotion and love shown by this wee dog. Thank you.

[Kiwi1331 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to #netgalley for the arc of this book.

Such a heartwarming story of how a dog means so much to people, that even after it’s buried years earlier people will go to great lengths to locate its grave and find it a place so everyone will remember.

[Andrea · Rating 3 out of 5]

A poignant and heartwarming story about the stray dog who ends up a movie star, and his life afterwards. Written by a member of the family that adopted him, it’s filled with lovely memories and a need to understand what became of Bobby and to bring him home.