Greyfriars Bobby (1961)

Date: 1961
Director: Don Chaffey
Production Company: Walt Disney Productions

Stars: Donald Crisp, Laurence Naismith, Alex Mackenzie, Gordon Jackson
Location(s): East Lothian, Edinburgh

Region(s):

Storyline:

An old shepherd and his Skye terrier go to Edinburgh, but when the shepherd dies the dog remains faithful to his master.

Additional Information:

Screen captures uploaded by John Tunstill and Phil Wilkinson

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An establishing shot of the farm where Auld Jock is the hired help. Paul O'Brien identifies this as West Hopes Farm, Haddington in East Lothian.

Andy McArthur returned to West Hopes Farm, nestling in the Lammermuir Hills of East Lothian, to find that the front porch of the house has been replaced with a more substantial one and that a new home has been built in the foreground.

An ailing Jock (Alex Mackenzie) takes rest before the Farmer gives him the bad news that he has to be fired as money is short. West Hopes Farm in Haddington near Gifford recognised by Paul O'Brien who's father used to live there in the late 80s and 90s.

More changes noted by Andy include a hedge replacing the dry stane dyke wall and the farmhouse's red roof tiles have given way to slate tiles.

The Farmer (Gordon Jackson) is kind enough to take Jock on the twenty mile journey to Edinburgh. The Category C Listed West Hopes Farm in Haddington, East Lothian located by Paul O'Brien.

Thanking the owner of the property for his kind permission to take this sequence of comparison images, Andy McArthur took this shot with not a horse and cart in view.

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The pair arrive in Edinburgh. A matted studio set of Edinburgh's High Street.

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As Jock searches for accomodation, Bobby, the Skye Terrier that he left behind at the farm, makes his way to Edinburgh. A studio set included for completeness.

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Mr. Traill (Laurence Naismith) talks with a Constable. Another studio set.

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The Terrier walks alongside Jock's coffin after the old man dies from pneumonia.

A series of second unit establishing shots showing various aspects of Edinburgh. It appears that the actors didn't go anywhere near Scotland's capital.

The view across Edinburgh from Calton Hill. SD

Bobby makes his way back to Edinburgh after being returned to the farm following Jock's death.

Edinburgh Castle viewed from Princes Street Gardens. SD

Bobby sleeps on Auld Jock's grave every night even though dogs are forbidden in Greyfriar's Kirkyard. Castlehill seen from Lothian Road with the Parish Church of St. Cuthbert to the left.

My third and final attempt at this one. Now the leaves have fallen, this is the clearest view that can be obtained. (SD)

After receiving the 'Freedom of the City', Greyfriars Bobby runs around pipers on Esplanade outside Edinburgh Castle.

An almost identical shot was seen in 'Journey To The Centre Of The Earth' (1959). SD

Bobby on Esplanade in Edinburgh, Scotland.

No pipers but plenty of tourists. SD