The local battalion, 2Scots, have come under fire after carrying out a sustained firework display during prohibited hours.
Residents throughout Penicuik and District were woken early Sunday morning, when the second battalion of the Royal Regiment of Scotland ended their Summer Ball with a bang.
At 00:45 on Sunday 21 June, a firework display was let off from Glencorse Barracks lasting approximately five minutes. The display was heard as far south as Penicuik Town Centre.
However, it has since emerged that the Army did not have the proper permissions to hold the display, having failed to secure a dispensation from Midlothian Council.
Under the 2004 Fireworks Regulations Act, the ignition of fireworks between 11pm and 7am is prohibited unless it is one of four public holidays (Chinese New Year, Diwali, Bonfire Night and New Year) or if the local authority gives permission through a dispensation. The party holding the display must apply for a dispensation at least six weeks before holding the event. The council’s General Purpose’s Committee will then decide whether or not to give permission. An advert notifying residents must then be placed in the local newspaper.
A spokesman for Midlothian Council told us that the Army did not make a request for a dispensation and therefore had not received the necessary permissions to ignite fireworks during the prohibited hours. They continued:
Enforcement of the Regulations is a police matter, however we will be contacting the barracks to ensure that the proper procedures are followed, in the event a fireworks display is wanted in the future.
Residents startled by the early morning fireworks took to social media to complain, many questioned what the bangs were and whether the barracks were undertaking a military exercise. Some concerned members of the public called the Police.
Police Scotland said:
Police in Midlothian received a number of calls from the public following a short fireworks display, which took place at Glencorse Barracks, Penicuik during the early hours of Sunday 21st June.Local officers and representatives from Midlothian Council are investigating this matter jointly.
On behalf of The Royal Regiment of Scotland, I would like to offer our sincerest apologies for the disruption to you and your family’s Saturday night.
Regulatory advice regarding fireworks was sought prior to the event but on subsequent discussions with the police it is apparent that the timing of the display was ill advised.
As a Regiment, we are incredibly proud of the strong links that we have with the local communities that support our Battalions across Scotland, so it is extremely regrettable that you did not receive appropriate warning about the fireworks display.