'˜Hands off Bobby' National Library in plea to protect Greyfriars Bobby's nose
The National Library of Scotland have tweeted calling for visitors (and dare we say it) and locals to stop touching the nose of Greyfriars Bobby.
The famous statue on George IV Bridge has become subject to a new tradition in recent years which sees people rubbing its muzzle for good luck.
The innocent act has resulted in paint being worn and the local authority having to repair the damage.
In a tweet in which they imagined what Bobby would say they wrote: “Hello. My name is Greyfriars Bobby
And I am a statue of a dog
Somehow a rumour started
That it’s good luck to touch my nose
It really isn’t
(Not least because I’m a biter!)
And you will eventually wear it down
Please don’t touch it
Thanks
Bobby (woof!)”
Last year, the statue of Greyfriars Bobby was declared as the capital’s most most-loved object following an overwhelming win in the public vote to enter as the 101st historical object.