Lord Provost George Grubb will welcome fifty Skye Terriers to the city's Lothian Chambers tomorrow (3.45pm) to commemorate the 150th anniversary of one of Edinburgh's most enduring and loveable icons, a small dog called Greyfriars Bobby.
The story of Edinburgh's famous terrier, who stood watch over his master's grave for 14 years, has been mythologised in Eleanor Atkinson's novel, and made into several films. Bobby even has his own statue near the Greyfriars graveyard and a pub named after him.
However, although Bobby's fame has spread far and wide, the Skye terrier breed is increasingly rare. Having 50 Skye terriers in the same location at the same time provides a rare photo op.
"It's great that the dogs are coming because despite the fame of Bobby, the Skye Terrier breed is endangered nowadays," said Lord Provost George Grubb, who will be appearing for pictures with all fifty of the Skye Terriers tomorrow afternoon.
"It would be an awful shame if the breed which has such strong links with Edinburgh was lost so it's nice that we have this opportunity to show the people of Edinburgh how great they are."