Swifties are slammed for ‘dumping their rubbish’ after leaving behind friendship bracelets at grave of Greyfriars Bobby in Edinburgh

Taylor Swift fans have received online backlash for visiting the grave site of Edinburgh’s most famous dog while in the city for the pop star’s Eras tour. Fans of Swift flocked to a host of Scottish landmarks during their visits to Edinburgh – with some even leaving friendship bracelets at the grave of Greyfriars Bobby, located in the Old Town.

The trend of swapping friendship bracelets between Swifties came from the star’s album Midnights and the track You’re On Your Own, Kid which included lyrics saying: ‘So, make the friendship bracelets, take the moment and taste it. However, fans who left bracelets at the grave of the city’s beloved dog have been slammed for leaving the plastic charms at the tourist site last week.

Video shows the grave covered in rubber bracelets, which was erected following the death of the legendary dog, who passed in 1872 at the age of 16. The grave was put in place almost a decade later in 1881 by the Dog Aid Society and regularly features a pile of sticks placed atop the grave in tribute to Bobby.

However, it appears that Swifties, in a well-meaning albeit misplaced gesture, opted to leave the bracelets instead. More than two dozen plastic bracelets can be spotted lying on the ground at the site of Bobby’s eternal resting place. The dog became legend following the death of his master John Gray who was a nightwatchman with the Edinburgh City Police as Bobby would spend the next 14 years guarding the grave of his master.

The video of the bracelets placed at the grave was shared to social media yesterday with the caption: ‘RIP Greyfriars Bobby you would’ve loved the Eras Tour.’ The post received over 2,100 likes with dozens of comments from social media users who were quick to offer their views on the tributes. One said: ‘Definitely American Swifties that did this.’ Another added: ‘Littering on a grave is wild.’ A third replied: ‘Folk just dumping their rubbish there, embarrassing.’

Another commented: ‘Ah yes, I’m sure a poor little dead dog will make great use of friendship bracelets.’ A fifth remarked: ‘This is a straight up no, so disrespectful, hope someone goes and puts them all in the bin.’ Many people also visit the nearby fountain, which is topped with a statue of Bobby, with many tourists believing it is good luck to rub the dog’s nose despite pleas from the City of Edinburgh Council to the contrary.

The drinking fountain was built in 1873 after English philanthropist Lady Burdett-Coutts was left charmed by the story of the loyal Scots dog. She had the statue erected at the junction of George IV Bridge and Candlemaker Row opposite the churchyard.