Thomas McKay (gunner)

Staff Sergeant Thomas McKay MBE, known as "Tam the Gun", served as District Gunner with 105th Regiment Royal Artillery from 1979 until 2005, responsible for the daily firing of the One O'Clock Gun at Edinburgh Castle. He became the longest-serving holder of the post and a recognisable Edinburgh character. McKay was born in Lochgelly, Fife, grew up in Musselburgh, and joined 529 Company Royal Army Service Corps, part of the Territorial Army. He began firing the gun in July 1979, initially using a 25-pound Howitzer, later replaced by an L118 Light Gun on 30 November 2001, which he fired first. In 1999 he received the MBE for services to the Territorial Army.