Female first for One O'Clock Gun

Bombardier Jones is the first woman to fire the gun

A woman has fired Edinburgh's famous One O'Clock Gun on the castle ramparts for the first time.

Bombardier Allison Jones, 34, is a member of 207 Battery, 105 Regiment Royal Artillery (Volunteers).

The bombardier, who is a manager at a 10-pin bowling centre in civilian life, has been appointed as a temporary District Gunner.

A number of gunners have been carrying out the role while a replacement is established for the late Tam the Gun.

Staff Sergeant Tam McKay, who died last year after a battle against cancer, had been District Gunner for 26 years.

I was so nervous I did not get much sleep last night, but today adrenalin took over Bombardier Allison Jones

Bombardier Jones, from Glasgow, has been a member of the Territorial Army for 12 years.

She said: "It was a great honour to be the first female soldier ever to fire the One O'Clock Gun, but it was also tinged with sadness as I knew Tam for eight years.

"I was so nervous I did not get much sleep last night, but today adrenalin took over.

"Everything went very well, which I am proud of, and I'll be expecting a few drinks from my friends in the regiment when I next see them. I would love to be able to do it again."