Shapps steps in to ensure Edinburgh Castle's historic One O'Clock Gun won't be silenced
Edinburgh Castle's One O'Clock Gun will continue to fire after the Defence Secretary intervened to head off a potential threat to the daily spectacle.
New Army health and safety guidance had threatened to bring an end to more than 160 years of tradition in Scotland's capital.
The One O'Clock Gun is is fired by the District Gunner – a member of 105th Regiment Royal Artillery – from the castle walls every day except Sundays, Good Friday and Christmas Day.
The tradition – that dates back to 1861 – came under threat following trials by the Army Environmental Noise Team.
New guidance on health and safety around the firing and viewing of ceremonial guns has been brought in – and there were concerns over how loud the 105mm cannon was.
This prompted moves to quieten the gun by using different ammunition – or stop it firing altogether.
However, Defence Secretary Grant Shapps stepped in to ensure the tradition continues.
The news was confirmed by a Ministry of Defence spokesperson, who said: "We can confirm that the firing of the gun will continue as part of a long-standing tradition while ensuring that the public are safe."
The gun was fired initially to help the ships in the port of Leith keep time and set their chronometers accurately to determine their longitude at sea.
Now the spectacle attracts hundreds of visitors every day at the castle.
Historic Environment Scotland (HES), the organisation that operates Edinburgh Castle, said a wider cordon required by the guidelines can be accommodated.
HES said: "The MOD recently issued new UK-wide guidance requiring a wider safety zone around the firing and viewing of all ceremonial guns, which includes the One O'Clock Gun at Edinburgh Castle.
"The geography at Edinburgh Castle can facilitate the wider cordon required by these new Army guidelines and the One O'Clock Gun will continue to be fired."
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