The big bang THE visit to Shetland in August by the Cutty Sark Tall Ships' fleet is set to go with a bang. Three cast-iron cannons, each weighing four tonnes, are being transported to Shetland for firing while the ships are in port. The reproduction mid 19th century cannons are coming from Fort George, near Inverness, to Fort Charlotte, in the heart of Lerwick. The cannons, which are 18-pounders with barrels about 4.5 metres long, will be fired by staff from Historic Scotland, who hope to be dressed in replica 19th century naval reserve uniforms. Fort Charlotte was handed over from the army to the navy, which was unusual as most forts in Britain were army bases. The cannons will be fired several times over the four-day event and are likely to be used to mark the start and end of the grand finale firework display the evening before the ships set sail for Aalborg. The big guns will be transported by road and ferry to the isles before being winched into position by crane. Historic Scotland plans to leave them in place at Fort Charlotte after the tall ships have left. With some preparation, they will be able to be fired again in the future.

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