Residents across Stirling were left confused and angered on Wednesday evening after a fireworks display lit up the skies over Stirling Castle.
The display took place shortly after 10pm, with locals taking to social media to hit out at the lack of communication over the event.
A notice posted in advance by events management company 21CC Group said there was to be a ‘five-minute display’ over the Castle between 10pm and 11pm.
But that message didn’t seem to have reached many in the community, with most left in the dark over the reasoning for the fireworks.
One of those affected was freelance journalist Caroline Malcolm-Boulton, who said: “The display was spectacular and will have doubtless put a smile on many people’s faces (mine included, I love fireworks), but it was extremely thoughtless of those involved to hold such a disruptive spectacle at that time of night and without adequate warning.
“I for one had a baby who woke up screaming and you could hear all the neighbourhood dogs barking. It also caused my husband a lack of sleep and he ended up having a seizure this morning, most likely the result of his disturbed night. It just wasn’t adequately thought through and points to inadequate and inconsiderate management.”
On a Causewayhead Facebook page, Keira McDougall said: “Thank you very much Stirling Castle - fireworks at 10:45 on a Wednesday night. I now have a traumatised dog shaking like a leaf and two awake children, great idea.”
Jo Leask added: “I actually heard them in Dunblane. Six miles away! It was muffled but I still heard it.”
A spokesperson for Historic Environment Scotland, who manage Stirling Castle, said: “A private event was held at Stirling Castle on Wednesday evening.
“This display was arranged as part of a private function and lasted for five minutes. The fireworks display was arranged to start at 10.45pm and finished before 11pm as legally required and, as the event was held on HES land, there was no legal requirement to apply for a licence.
“A notice was issued to the relevant team within Stirling Council and all local Stirling councillors in advance.
“This was not advertised on the HES or Stirling Castle social media platforms, to minimise the risk of members of the public coming up to the castle esplanade to view the display on the night.”
A spokesman for 21CC Group said: “We always endeavour to share notice of any firework display we have organised for our clients. We care deeply about the local communities of residents, understand their concerns and strive to minimise any inconvenience.
“In this instance, a notice of the display was advertised in the Stirling Observer (both online and in print) on three consecutive dates: April 5,6 and 7.
“We also contacted all relevant local community channels, which shared the notices on their platforms. We note that within the online comments, readers indicate that they have seen a notice for this particular display.
“We are sorry to hear this event may have caused distress.”
