Scotland is really important to UK, says Chief of the Defence Staff

The head of the Armed Forces has said Scotland is really important to UK defence on his first visit to the country since becoming Chief of the Defence Staff.

Admiral Sir Tony Radakin was at Edinburgh Castle to see the One O'Clock Gun being fired as he met with civil servants and MSPs during his trip.

This comes a day after Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced her intention to hold another independence referendum.

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The firing of the gun dates back to 1861 – ships in the Firth of Forth once set their maritime clocks by the One O'Clock Gun.

The gun is still fired every day at 1pm, except on Sundays, Good Friday and Christmas Day.

Cover Image: One O'Clock Gun being fired by Bombardier Jenny Findlay on International Women's Day and Commonwealth Day last year (Picture: MOD).