Salutes

The tradition of ceremonial salutes probably originates from the time when guns were fired to assure the person being honoured that no harm would come to them during their visit.

Three salutes were fired from the Half Moon Battery, Edinburgh Castle to mark the accession of James VI in 1577.

In 1633 a salute of 52 guns was fired from the Half Moon Battery during the State Visit of Charles 1 of England.

During a salute to mark the visit of James, Duke of York and Albany in 1680 the barrel of Mons Meg split as the giant cannon was fired.

By 1708 following the Act of Union the fortress’s guns were removed to London and it’s not known if salutes were fired from the Castle during the 18th century or when they were resumed.

At the beginning of the 19th century 18 pounders and 24 pounder muzzle loaders stood on the Half Moon Battery.

When George IV paid a visit to Edinburgh in 1822, salutes were fired from the Calton Hill, Salisbury Crags and Edinburgh Castle.

A salute was also fired when Queen Victoria and Prince Albert visited the Scottish capital in 1842.

Like the One o' Clock Gun, ceremonial salutes are now fired from the Mills Mount Battery.