Artist and Inverness college lecturer Frank To, who creates striking images using the unusual medium of gunpowder, has created a piece commemorating the One O’Clock Gun at Edinburgh Castle.
At noon today a special gun salute will mark the Accession of HM Queen Elizabeth to the Throne. It’s the first of several which take place throughout the year drawing attention to significant occasions.
The One O’Clock Gun will also fire as normal at 1pm.
Last year Mr To became the first Scottish artist to be accepted in all Royal Art Academies in Britain in one year. He has had international success and has a string of famous fans and collectors, including the actor Sir Patrick Stewart.
He said: “I used residue from the One O’clock Gun itself to create this piece. By manipulating the residue into an art medium, I was able to use this to create the piece. This gun, of course, it not used for violent means and so it was an ideal focus for reinforcing my message. I hope that what I do will inspire people to think twice about the value of life and how we can all channel our energy constructively.”
The firing of the gun, which dates back to 1861 and was originally the signal by which ships in the Firth of Forth set their maritime clocks, continues to draw visitors from around the world.