This year, nine Fireworks Control Zones (FCZs) will be in place across Edinburgh to help reduce the negative impact of fireworks during Bonfire Night celebrations.
First trialled in 2023, FCZs ban the use of fireworks within designated areas. Last year’s zones included Balerno, Calton Hill, Niddrie and Seafield.
Following a vote by the Culture and Communities Committee, these zones will return for the next two years, with five additional areas added: Corstorphine, Moredun, Gracemount, Longstone and Sighthill.
The restrictions will apply between 31 October and 9 November 2025.
In March people were invited to apply for their local area to become an FCZ resulting in proposals for Corstorphine, Moredun, Gracemount, Longstone and Sighthill. A subsequent public consultation on FCZs for these areas, alongside Balerno, Calton Hill, Niddrie and Seafield, found overwhelming support for their introduction.
Amongst the reasons community groups stated in their applications for FCZs were the misuse of fireworks and the protection of animals and vulnerable people.
“We want everyone to be able to enjoy Bonfire Night safely and responsibly and these FCZs are part of our efforts to ensure that.
“The new FCZs being introduced are based on community requests and respond to real concerns around the safety of people and animals in these areas. This is in addition to the FCZs first introduced last year, which we found had a really positive effect.
“This is just one tool for minimising the negative impact of fireworks at this time of year, and we’ll continue to work closely with partners to look at different ways of addressing the issue.”
Culture and Communities Convener Councillor Margaret Graham
It is intended that FCZs will align with any Dispersal Zones planned by Police Scotland around Bonfire Night. They will also support work to tackle antisocial behaviour with partners like Police Scotland and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) as part of the Citywide Bonfire Strategic Planning Community Improvement Partnership (CIP). This includes patrols of fly-tipping hotspots, co-ordination of CCTV cameras, visits to premises licensed to sell fireworks to conduct safety checks and youth engagement initiatives.
Find out more about FCZs in Edinburgh online.
