Staff Sergeant Thomas McKay, who fired and maintained the world-famous One O’clock Gun on the battlements of Edinburgh Castle for nearly 26 years, has died from cancer, the British Army said on Thursday. He was 60 years old.
McKay, affectionately known as ”Tam the Gun”, was a popular figure in the Scottish capital, and worked as district gunner since 1978. Ill health forced him to stop firing the huge howitzer gun in January.
”Tam will be sadly missed by all members of the military community and the staff of Historic Scotland in Edinburgh Castle,” said Major Andy Jackson, deputy chief of staff at the castle’s 52 Infantry Brigade. ”He was a true character, and he and his gun will remain a cherished memory of many tourists’ trips to Edinburgh.”
The army said McKay died at home with his wife, Joyce, by his bedside. It was unclear whether he died on Wednesday night or Thursday morning.
McKay was one of Edinburgh’s most famous faces. When not looking after the gun, which was traditionally fired at 1pm to allow ships anchored at nearby Leith to set their clocks, he swapped stories with tourists and answered the many letters he received from visitors around the world.
He turned his anecdotes into the humorously titled book What Time Does the One O’clock Gun Fire?.
He was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire in 1999 by Queen Elizabeth II for his services to the Territorial Army.
McKay is survived by his wife and three children. — Sapa-AP