It is thought to be the oldest terrier breed in Scotland, with a genealogy going back to the 14th century.

But the numbers of Skye terriers are dwindling with estimates of 3000 of the native Scots breed left.

Now a Highland MSP has raised a parliamentary motion to raise awareness of how vulnerable the Skye terrier is, and support plans to erect a statue to the breed on the island.

The Skye breed is thought to have started after the canine survivors of a man-of-war from the Spanish Armada, wrecked at Raasay and Skye, bred with local terriers, producing a strain with a long, silky coat.

Mary Queen of Scots had one who was at her execution. Queen Victoria had several. There is already a statue of one in Edinburgh, commemorating the story Greyfriars Bobby.

For 14 years Bobby kept a vigil by his late master's grave in Greyfriars graveyard.

In 1912, Eleanor Atkinson wrote bestseller Greyfriars Bobby. Although its accuracy was challenged, in the 1960s Walt Disney made a film based on the book.

Dave Thompson, SNP MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch, has raised a motion in Parliament to highlight a 42-mile sponsored walk on Skye from Armadale Castle in Sleat to Portree organised by the club next week.

He said: "The breed is unfortunately top of the vulnerable breeds list."