The Fireworks (Scotland) Regulations came into force on 7 October 2004.

The Fireworks (Scotland) Regulations 2004 came into force on 7 October 2004.

These regulations create a general prohibition on using fireworks between 11.00 pm and 7.00 am each night but exceptions allow such use until 1.00 am on the nights of Chinese New Year, the Indian festival Diwali and Hogmanay, and until midnight on 5 November.  The curfew does not apply to the use of category 1 type fireworks (party poppers, crackers etc) or category 2 (sparklers).

Anyone setting off fireworks in the prohibited periods can be fined up to £5000 or sentenced to six months imprisonment.

The regulations allow local authorities to put on displays outside these times for local purposes and for national and commemorative events.  The regulations also provide, subject to certain conditions, for a local authority to grant dispensations from the prohibition.

The full regulations can be read on the HMSO web site by clicking on the firework logo.