Edinburgh Castle's One O' Clock Gun

Category

Library Item

Item no

27040

Title

Edinburgh Castle's One o' clock Gun

Artist / maker

Unknown

Date

1860

Type

Engraving

Location

Edinburgh and Scottish Collection

This image represents Greyfriars Bobby standing beside the One o'clock Gun.

The One o'clock Gun is a time gun, which provided a time signal for shipping in the Firth of Forth and Leith in the days when navigation relied on using a sextant, charts and mathematical skills. To use these accurately however you had to know the precise time. It has fired almost everyday since 7 June 1861 (with the exception of Sundays and during the two World Wars). Originally the gun was a 64-pounder cannon, but now they use a 105mm field gun.

Exhibitions with this item

Other views of this item

Related images

Related subjects

Animals > Mammals > Dogs

Architecture > Architectural features > Clocks and clock towers

Homes > Residential buildings > Castles and palaces

Military > Arms and armament > Cannons

People > Military activities > Soldiers

Places > Edinburgh areas > Old Town

Places > Edinburgh Landmarks > Edinburgh Castle

Places > Scotland > Edinburgh

Rooms and spaces > Objects > Clocks

(55°56′56″N, 3°12′2″W)

Read how our collections have inspired people taking part in events, visits and community groups. Use the slider or navigation arrows to see more responses.