Firework control zones return to Edinburgh and Glasgow with ban from 30 October
From 30 October 2026, fireworks are banned in selected areas of Edinburgh and Glasgow. Breaching a zone can lead to up to six months in jail or a fine of up to £5,000.
Author: Editorial teamPublished: Region: Glasgow2 min read
Contents
Firework Control Zones are returning to parts of Edinburgh and Glasgow around Halloween and Bonfire Night. The ban also applies to private land, such as gardens.
Glasgow
Glasgow City Council has confirmed four zones for 2026: Govanhill/Pollokshields (one combined zone), Broomhouse, Glasgow Harbour and Pollok SSPCA. They will be in force from Friday 30 October to Monday 9 November 2026. The council says the Broomhouse and Pollok zones are in places where animal welfare facilities are located. Applications for 2027 zones are due to reopen in early 2027.
Edinburgh
In the Scottish capital the zones will run from 30 October to 8 November 2026. According to the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service list, they include Balerno, Calton Hill, Corstorphine, Gracemount, Liberton, Lochend, Longstone, Moredun, Niddrie, Seafield, Sighthill/Broomhouse, Stenhouse/Gaskell Street, West Pilton and Wester Hailes. Four zones (Balerno, Calton Hill, Niddrie and Seafield) continue from last year because they were approved for two years. The City of Edinburgh Council says firework-related anti-social behaviour is significantly lower than in earlier years.
What is and is not allowed
The zones are based on the Fireworks and Pyrotechnic Articles (Scotland) Act 2022. Fireworks may not be set off within a zone, including on private property. However, the ban does not cover authorised, licensed public displays. Nor does it stop shops from selling fireworks or cover whole towns. Police Scotland enforces the zones. The maximum penalty is a £5,000 fine or up to six months in custody.
What this means for residents
People living in the named areas of Edinburgh and Glasgow cannot set off fireworks during this period, even in their own garden or yard. Before buying fireworks for 5 November, it is worth checking on the Edinburgh or Glasgow City Council website whether your address falls within a zone. Both councils publish maps and exact boundaries. Organised displays, such as the one in Craigmillar, Edinburgh, on 5 November, are still going ahead.
Sources
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Photos
- Cover: „fireworks, night, sky, colorful, celebration”, author: Feeligood, licence Pixabay Content License; cropped or resized.
- Photo 1: „autumn, germany, nature, sidewalk, street”, author: Pexels, licence Pixabay Content License; cropped or resized.
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