Manchester/Scotland 2025 - Edinburgh Castle One O'Clock Gun Ceremony

 

When we finished walking around and exploring the lower ground of the castle, it was almost 1230pm. We wanted to watch the 1pm gun ceremony, so we decided to hang around that area and eat the lunch/snacks that we have packed with us. We're really budget travellers, and have gotten into the habit of always having some food and drinks in our bags when we travel. You never know how much meals are going to cost at tourist sites! So better be safe than sorry!

We positioned ourselves at the front, making sure we got a good view. The 1pm gun ceremony is held everyday except Sunday and bank holiday, and it was used in ancient time so that everyone could tune their clock once a day to be in sync with the rest of the neighbourhood. 

There is a small exhibition  you could walk in to read more about the ceremony and how it was started. Here is an info photo for you.

It was quite detailed! 

As I munch on my delicious Eccles Cake that I got from M&S Food Hall, people were starting to gather around the area. The sun was pretty hot, but nobody seems to mind. The cafe nearby was shutdown before and after the ceremony to stop people from crowding the place. Which was kind of weird cause it stopped their business. But then again, it could be a welcome break for the staff there. 

The Scotland's flag flying high here!

And before 1pm, a guard/soldier appears. And he just stood there by the cannon, occasionally looking at his watch until it strikes 1pm. Then he just fires the cannon and that was it, everyone went back to their own business, I think I have a video of it, but I can't seems to find it. When I do, I might upload the link here.

Finally, after the 1pm gun ceremony, I can now ventured up the upper ground of the castle! I was very much behind schedule. I had planned to leave the castle after the 1pm gun ceremony, but we were not even half way through yet! I thought the castle would be boring and quick, but it was anything but! Luckily for us, we can control our own itinerary, and could stay as long or as short as we wanted in any place. Since we've already paid for the full ticket, we just had to stay longer to see everything!

So we slowly made our way towards the upper ground. It was just a small slope, and I was excited cause I knew the treasury hall was on the top and I didn't want to miss seeing the crown jewels!

Leaving this sign here cause I forgot to post it in the lower ground entry. I thought it was just a lovely shot of the blue skies, and the tri-colour of just white, blue and black. It was just so Scottish in colours! Let no good photos go to waste  and die in my hard disc. For I know that any photos posted here would be revisited by  me or someone else in the future some day and be appreciated Photos taken are meant to be shared and admired. So there....