The following report appeared

The following report appeared in the Caledonian Mercury on 8th December 1858.

‘A Special Meeting of the Directors of the Chamber of Commerce was held yesterday, the 7th December 1858 when Mr. Hewat brought forward a proposal to have a Gun placed on the Calton Hill, to be fired when the Time-Ball dropped, and by the same galvanic battery which works the Ball.

He contended that, useful as the Time-Ball was, it could not be seen from many parts of the city.

He said that it was desirable to make people hear the hour as well as see it, and this could be best effected by the method he suggested.

He moved that Chamber should memorialise the Government to carry out the object in view. It was resolved to communicate on the subject with the Astronomer Royal.'

Photograph courtesy of Major Hewat. The Missoni Hotel, George IV Bridge now stands on the site of the offices of the Chamber of Commerce where the historic proposal to set up a One' Clock Gun was made by John Hewat in 1858.