There are plenty of occasions when people think their taxes are going up in smoke.
However, as thousands of visitors to the various Bonfire Night celebrations could attest, there are also times when watching your hard-earned money disappear can be thoroughly enjoyable.
At Dundee’s official events in Baxter and Lochee parks, the crowds watched eagerly as a fair few thousand pounds in the streamlined shape of fireworks soared into the air before expending themselves in colourful, ear-piercing blasts in only 25 minutes.
Down on the ground there were also roaring bonfires and a radio roadshow to add to the entertainment, although on safety grounds visitors had been asked not to bring their own fireworks or sparklers to the events.Photo gallery: Bonfire night fireworks at Baxter ParkOne man at Baxter Park did, however, bring with him one very important question to ask his girlfriend and to the delight of those listening she said yes to his marriage proposal.
Firefighters had called for people to attend the official displays rather than set bonfires of their own but fire control confirmed crews were sent to deal with incidents.
Bonfire night, of course, commemorates the Gunpowder Plot of November 5 1605 when Catholic rebels tried to blow up Parliament and kill the Protestant King James I.
Edinburgh Secular Society chairman Gary McLelland had suggested any hint of sectarianism in remembering the actions of Guy Fawkes and his fellow plotters should be stopped in favour of holding a “purely secular” event.
However, the Rev David Robertson, director of the Solas Centre for Public Christianity, said: “The secularists are showing themselves to be the puritanical killjoys of the 21st Century. What will be next? Banning Christmas?”ANGUSArbroath’s events lived up to their promise of going out with a bang to the delight of thousands on the town’s seafront.
Victoria Park was packed as people from across Angus watched the fantastic finale of the community group light up the skies in a stunning £30,000 display of colourful pyrotechnics.
The Arbroath Seafront Fireworks Spectacular was the community group’s sign-off and they decided to pour their remaining funds into a display to remember, delivered by the team from 21CC Fireworks..embed-container { position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%; padding-top: 30px; height: 0; overflow: hidden; max-width: 100%; height: auto; } .embed-container iframe, .embed-container object, .embed-container embed { position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; }
Angus councillor David Fairweather, of the organising group, said they were “over the moon” with the success of the night.
“From start to finish today I would reckon we have probably seen 10,000 people at Victoria Park it was absolutely phenomenal,” he said.
“We promised we would give Arbroath something to remember and that display definitely had the wow factor.
“As far as a fireworks night display is concerned, I would suggest it’s the biggest one Angus has ever seen and a match for any city.”
He added: “The work to put this event on actually started back in February and the success of it is down to so many volunteers who deserve great credit.
“It went without a hitch and I’m so chuffed Arbroath Events was able to give the people of Arbroath and beyond such a great night to enjoy,” he added.
The build-up to the main event began from late afternoon, with a funfair and stalls lined up along the park and an opportunity to enjoy an Arbroath Smokie or a seafront trip on a coach from Kerr’s miniature railway.
Arbroath Events had also lined up a string of entertainment for a stage near the far end of the park closest to the fireworks display.PERTHPerth’s celebrations were enough to wake the dead as a ghostly executioner haunted the city centre in search of new victims.
He performed mock executions for revellers heading towards the South Inch, demonstrating how the infamous Guy Fawkes met his fate.
The supernatural theme continued on King Edward Street with displays of illusion and mystery from the Van Buren Magic Show.
After surviving their run-in with the hangman, audiences were entertained by seemingly impossible feats by internationally-acclaimed magician Andrew Van Buren.
Despite the wet weather, thousands of locals made their way to the main event of the evening on Perth’s parklands.
Councillor Jack Coburn was given the task of lighting the impressive bonfire, built earlier in the day by volunteers from the Perth and Strathearn 200 Round Table.
Perched proudly on top of the pyre was the traditional Guy, made every year by pupils from Fairview School.
They had handed over their creation to the members of the Round Table, which organises the annual event, ahead of the big night
The spectacular fireworks display was launched by Provost Elizabeth Grant, who flicked the switch and set off a 20-minute pyrotechnic show.
In honour of next year’s Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and the legacy it will provide for local children, the performance had a distinct sporting theme.
Believed to be the biggest Bonfire Night celebrations on Tayside, the event regularly attracts more than 8,000 people and raises hundreds of pounds for local charities.
Entertainment was provided by Heartland FM and local bands, as well as a funfair for the young and young-at-heart.
A spokesman from Perth and Strathearn 200 Round Table said: “We would like to thank all our supporters local businesses, Perth Common Good Fund, Tayside Fire and Rescue, Tayside Police and Perth and Kinross Council for their assistance in providing advice, time, materials and equipment in making this annual event the continued success that it is.
“We would especially like to thank the talented pupils and staff from Fairview School for once again supplying the Guy for this year’s event.”FIFEThe night sky was ablaze with colour as Fifers celebrated.
Crowds flocked to Burntisland and Dunfermline for the towns’ traditional bonfires and fireworks displays.
Events were also held in Newton of Falkland and Newport. There was also a display at Elmwood, Cupar, earlier in the day.
The Radio Lollipop roadshow provided entertainment in Burntisland and the local pipe band heralded the arrival of Summer Queen Adele Shaw before the bonfire was lit.
Freelance photographer George McLuskie said it was great to see so many families enjoying themselves.
He said: “It was very busy absolutely packed. There was a great atmosphere and a lot of kids with sparklers. It was really good to see so many kids on their dads’ shoulders enjoying themselves.”
James Moncur helped organise the Newton of Falkland display, which attracted an estimated 1,000 people from across the Howe of Fife, St Andrews and the East Neuk.
He said: “It was very windy but the weather was great for the 25-minute display. There was a bit of a problem with the traffic up on the top road but it was a great success we had people coming in from all over.”