Taylor Swift fans have received online backlash for visiting the gravesite 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.’
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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.
Taylor Swift performed three sold out shows in Edinburgh over the weekend, breaking the all-time attendance record for a stadium show in Scotland
Greyfriars Bobby’s grave in Edinburgh’s Old Town was erected to commemorate the city’s legendary dog
Swifties left plastic friendship bracelets at the grave of Greyfriars Bobby to the dismay of online critics
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.
The trend of swapping friendship bracelets between Swifties came from the star’s album Midnights and the track You’re On Your Own, Kid
Taylor Swift performed the first leg of her Eras UK tour on the weekend to 220,000 fans
Abuse was hurled at Swifties on social media for laying friendship bracelets at a legendary dog’s grave in Edinburgh
People expressed outrage online at the sight of plastic bracelets on Greyfriars Bobby’s grave
Critics took to social media to blame Taylor Swift fans for littering on the historic Scottish landmark
The tradition of Taylor Swift fans leaving friendship bracelets behind after watching the singer perform was not well received online
