Staff Sergeant Tam McKay M.B.E., Anniversary

Tuesday 17th November marks the anniversary of the death Staff Sergeant Tam McKay M.B.E.

Over ten years ago Tam had the idea of marking the millennium by putting on a three month exhibition at Edinburgh Castle featuring the One o’ Clock Gun.

Recruiting the present secretary of the One o’ Clock Gun & Time Ball Association, Tam and George were soon joined by an enthusiastic squad of volunteers with an interest in the city’s history - John Dallas, Neil Primrose, Graham Rule, John Simpson and John Thomson.

After receiving a £30,000 Heritage Lottery grant Tam’s time team was offered a store room under the Mills Mount Battery by Historic Scotland. The three month exhibition is still running and is a permanent feature at the Castle. Mark Lazarowicz M.P will open the ‘James Ritchie & Son Clockmakers 1809- 2009’ exhibition at Leith Library, Ferry Road on Saturday, 21st November at 10.30 am.

Our mascot Blue will be on parade with his cannon having just returned from his winter break.

Any member of the public bringing along a Ritchie’s watch will be invited to the buffet.

The photograph shows John Dallas and John Simpson toasting Tam at the opening of the One o' Clock Gun Exhibition.

Photograph courtesy of David Liddle