One O Clock Gun

Fired six days per week (Sundays, Good Friday and Christmas day excepted), the One O’Clock Gun is a city staple and one of those photographs that you know precisely when to take. This 1pm alarm bell was originally a time signal for ships in the Firth of Forth dating back as far as 1861. This photograph shows the District Gunner standing with a spent shell removed from the gun in the moments after it has fired. This lunchtime spectacle reliably draws a healthy portion of the castle’s 5000+ daily visitors, so arrive well before one o’clock for a clear view, or better still head up to the lookout point next to Mons Meg cannon and St Margaret’s Chapel where this image is taken from. Taking the shot from the higher viewpoint will require a longer lens if you crop in like this, but it is worth the effort.

This shot works in any season since the gun fires year-round. An overcast day works well for a close in shot like the version above, though if you prefer a wider view taking in the city beyond, then a clear day may be preferable. You know exactly when to expect the shot, but be prepared because no matter how ready you think you are, the moment the gun goes off everything happens extremely quickly. This image is taken after the initial firing, but still within a matter of seconds. A long lens is needed for a tight shot like this to omit the surrounding crowds. Don’t be afraid to raise the ISO to achieve a fast shutter speed. This frame was taken with a high ISO to for that purpose, as originally the plan was to capture the gun firing, but the later shot with the smoke had more character. Burst shoot if you need.