2025Edinburgh’s Ceremony of the Honours|trip.com

The cannon salute ceremony at Edinburgh Castle is held daily at precisely 1:00 p.m. along the castle walls overlooking the Firth of Forth. Established in 1861 to assist maritime vessels in calibrating their timepieces, the ceremony begins with soldiers explaining to visitors the history and procedures of the cannon salute, followed by the firing of a blank round. Although vessels no longer rely on the salute for time synchronization, the tradition remains a signature experience of the castle and continues to attract tourists to its other historical and cultural attractions.