Traditionally, bonfire and fireworks displays have been held across the country on November 5, which this year falls on a Tuesday.
Thousands of people are expected to brave bleak November and head for the great outdoors, where skies across Scotland will be turned into open-air theatres.
Guy Fawkes was one of a group planning to blow up the Houses of Parliament in 1605. He was caught red-handed next to barrels of gunpowder hidden in the cellars under the House of Lords, after the area was searched the night before King James VI and I was due to open parliament.
The King adapted an existing custom of celebrating the accession of a monarch with nationwide bonfires by passing a law making the festivities an annual event on November 5.
Although the law was repealed in 1859, the tradition remains and tonnes of fireworks are sent spiralling into the night sky each November.
Bonfire and firework displays are not always held on November 5, so make sure you check with your local event organisers before heading out.
Here’s a roundup of some of the events taking place in the next few days:
This year, the Shell Fireworks Parade is moving to Mintlaw to create a wild and wonderful walk through Aden Country Park. This event includes an enchanted night-time walk with performers and creations who will bring the woods to life. The wood will be open from 6.30-7.30pm, and again from 8-9pm, while the fireworks display takes place at 7.45pm. Admission to the event is free of charge.
In Elgin, there will be a fireworks display taking place at Cooper Park at 6.30pm. Entry is free, but donations will be gratefully received.
Donations are also welcome at Monaltrie Park, Ballater, where the bonfire will be lit at 7pm, with a fireworks display at 7.30pm.
The dark skies above Mar Lodge Estate will be lit up by fireworks at a free event which includes a piped torchlight procession to light the fire, a best guy competition, fireworks, food and soft drinks. The fun starts at 6pm and ends around 8pm.
Drumnadrochit, near Inverness, is where you’ll find a family-friendly bonfire night taking place at Blairbeg shinty pitch. It’s a free event, but, as always, donations are welcome. The bonfire will be lit at 6.30pm and expect plenty of fireworks at 7pm.
Banff fireworks display takes place in the grounds of Duff House at 6pm, while Grant Park, Forres, is the place to be for an extended fun night, starting around 5.30pm, with fairground rides, stalls and music suitable for all ages. Organised by the local Rotary Club, the bonfire will be lit at 6.30pm, with a spectacular professional fireworks display at 7pm. Admission is free but donations will be welcome.
Inchberry and District Community Association has issued an invitation to attend its organised bonfire night and fireworks display, which takes place in the north field adjacent to the hall at Orton, near Fochabers. The fun starts at 6.30pm and includes free sweets for children. Donations for charity are welcome.
Banchory’s King George V Park is where members of the local Round Table will stage their large bonfire and fireworks display. Food will be available from 6.30pm, the same time as the bonfire is lit, with the firework display taking place at 7pm. The evening continues until around 10.30pm. The Round Table will also be selling a selection of glow goodies for children, with cash raised from these sales going to a charity fund.
This year’s Stonehaven bonfire and fireworks display takes place at the town’s Mineralwell Park. Gates open at 6pm; the bonfire will be lit at 6.30pm, and the display starts at 7pm. There will be food stalls, including a barbecue, and flashing novelties.
In the Highlands, it’s Deshar Primary School parent council which has pulled out all the stops to ensure that the annual Boat of Garten bonfire and display goes off smoothly. Entrance is free, but donations will be gratefully received. The event will have a large bonfire, a spectacular firework display and a great selection of hot food, drinks and snacks. It starts at 5.30pm and finishes around 7pm.
Deeside Activity Park, near Aboyne, is hosting a bonfire night special from 5.30pm, when the fire is lit, followed by fireworks at 6pm. The park’s own Cairnton Aberdeen-Angus steak and burger barbecue will be on for anyone feeling peckish at the free event.
Large crowds are expected to gather in the Bught Park when the spectacular 2013 City of Inverness Grand Bonfire and Fireworks Display is staged. The show starts at 7.30pm with the judging of the annual guy competition, which is contested by children from local primary schools.
The honour of creating the guy to be placed on top of the giant 40ft bonfire will go this year to pupils from Kirkhill Primary School, who won last year’s competition. This will be followed by a 20-minute musical fireworks display staged by the award-winning team from Fireworx Scotland.
Aberdeen is sticking with the traditional date and, from 7-9pm, the Aberdeen beachfront area is the place to be. The 20-minute display of spectacular fireworks, set to music, will be full of noise and colour. The display starts at 7.30pm, and the best vantage point is the area around the Beach Boulevard and along the Beach Esplanade.
Other attractions on the night include a charity fundraising firewalk, which starts at 6.30pm at the Queens Links, when dozens of brave souls will walk across hot coals to raise funds for the charity Inspire.
To avoid traffic snarl-ups, those attending are advised to take advantage of the park-and-ride scheme. People should wrap up warmly and not bring their own fireworks, as these will be confiscated by event stewards and police, and not returned.
Visitors attending the Glengarry firework display and bonfire at Craigard Park, Invergarry, should look out for a witch and her fiery cauldron. There will be food, drink and gift stalls to visit, while the bonfire is lit at 6.30pm and the firework display takes place at 6.45pm. Entrance is free, but donations are welcome. Those attending are advised not to bring their own sparklers or fireworks.