Edinburgh's Hogmanay chiefs issue 'viable' statement over pressure to end fireworks for drones

Organisers of Edinburgh’s Hogmanay festival have said they are not considering replacing the fireworks display with drones at the end of this year.

There has been growing pressure for the fireworks showcase over Edinburgh Castle, timed to coincide with the Hogmanay street party, to be reinvented due to animal welfare concerns.

Fireworks explode over Edinburgh Castle and the Balmoral Clock during the street party for Hogmanay New Year celebrations in Edinburgh. Picture: Jane Barlow/PA Wire | Jane Barlow/PA Wire

The concerted push comes after the death of two red pandas at Edinburgh Zoo in November was linked to trauma from fireworks.

Edinburgh City Council leader Jane Meagher has said she is in favour of alternatives to fireworks for Hogmanay being used in the future, citing noise pollution and consideration for animals, including pets and animals in zoos, as key concerns.

Readers have their say on whether fireworks should be banned after baby red panda death. | RZSS

However, a spokesperson for organisers Unique Assembly, which runs the festival for Edinburgh City Council, said drones were not viable due to “cost and city centre logistics”.

A statement from the organisers said: “Fireworks are an integral part of New Year celebrations in major cities around the world. Footage from the Edinburgh’s Hogmanay midnight fireworks from Edinburgh Castle are broadcast globally and position the capital amongst the world’s best firework displays, including Sydney, Rio, London, New York and Beijing.

“In recent year’s Edinburgh’s Hogmanay has introduced new lighting technologies and effects to enhance displays and reduce firework products. The introduction of new technologies such as drones are reviewed annually, and whilst we continuously look at enhancing and developing content, drones are currently not something which are viable for the event due to cost and city centre logistics.”

More than 8,500 fireworks typically burst over Edinburgh Castle at the bells as part of the annual display. Drones have been used elsewhere in the world for new year events in China. A drone display over the Scottish Highlands and Edinburgh was filmed and aired in 2021 at the time of the Covid pandemic.

The statement from Unique Assembly was issued with business leaders having called for a “plan B” for Hogmanay celebrations in future years after the city’s flagship outdoor events were cancelled on December 30. It is the third time the spectacle has been cancelled since 2003.

The main 45,000 street party, an open-air concert headlined by Texas, and the six-and-a-half-minute-long fireworks display were all called off more than 24 hours in advance after bad weather hampered the erection of outdoor stages and safety infrastructure on and around Princes Street.

Edinburgh's Hogmanay festival is estimated to be worth about £50m to the local economy, and showcases the city to the wider world.

Ms Meagher said earlier this week on the use of fireworks: “One of things I experienced in November was how alternatives to fireworks can be really successful and happy. I went to a couple of events that didn't rely on fireworks and they were just wonderful and heart-warming.

“So if it were up to me I would want to be looking at alternatives because I think that the days when we send explosives up into the air are short lived and we need to think about something more inventive and exciting.

“I keep going back to my recent experience of alternatives, so in terms of light shows and fabulous laser displays for example, absolutely.”