Rocket science

LOCK UP YOUR PETS and stable your horses, the Scottish Fireworks Championships are coming. Next Saturday, Perth's skyline will become a temporary canvas for an explosive display of art never before witnessed in this country. Several tonnes of friendly mortars, electronically fired and precision-timed on XL spreadsheets, will turn darkness into light.

"This is expected to grow to become one of the biggest Scottish 'wow' events," says Jim Winship of organisers, The Event Services Association (TESA). Judging by growth statistics for the British Championships, held in Plymouth Hoe since 1996, his predictions may turn out to be true. In its first year, 35,000 people attended the Plymouth event. The championships have since become a powerhouse for the Devon economy, with hotels booked ten months in advance; 200,000 onlookers swarmed on to the viewing pontoons last year. If the maiden Scottish event accrues a fraction of that interest, the Scottish Fireworks Championships could become a major draw.

Britons were enchanted by explosives long before Guy Fawkes's antics in 1605- the first recorded use of fireworks was at Henry VII's wedding in 1486. Today, pyrotechnics experts are employed for everything from TV adverts to ship launches, even church fundraisers, and the global industry is worth hundreds of millions of pounds.

Visitors to Perth can expect much more than Bonfire Night bangers. "This is performance art," says Colin McNair, of Barrhead-based Midnight Storm Firework Company.

"The majority of our crew are ex-theatre technicians. This won't be like Edinburgh, either, where you are throwing some nice colours at a grand backdrop - this is about the fireworks themselves."

Midnight Storm, one of the three competing teams, were contracted for Stella McCartney's wedding. "Nice people. A lovely audience," recalls McNair, who used to work in London for the company which has now grown to be one of the biggest in the UK. Along with Blast Design Fireworks and Fireworx Scotland, Midnight Storm is hoping to get the nod from the judges at Perth Racecourse to progress to the British final at Plymouth in August - a rare honour. "And ten hours in a van, there and back," laughs McNair. Last year, a Guinness Book of World Records attempt climaxed in an official entry for the highest number of rockets fired simultaneously: 56,645, off Plymouth quay.

The experts behind Blast Design Fireworks boast a portfolio of diverse engagements. They orchestrated special effects for Beyond 2000, a science documentary for the Discovery Channel. But they also conduct underwater rock blasting and their seismic charges have been used to prospect for oil in Saudi Arabia. Hired for T-in-the-Park this July, they are relishing the Perth showdown, including its challenges. "The effects are only as accurate as the time it takes for a fuse to burn, that's the thing. If someone in China has had a bad day, you can be slightly out," says John Kettles, who runs the Burrelton company with his son, David.

Inverurie-based Fireworx Scotland caused traffic chaos in 2003 by attracting 12,000 people to Bonfire Night. Mark Copland, whose group recently performed in Shanghai, says the Perth spectators are in for a great show.

"This is great for the racecourse, for Perth and for Scotland," says Perth Racecourse's Sam Morshead. "Hopefully, everyone who comes along appreciates a great spectacle."

Pets should stay indoors, but if you've two legs, make for Perth.

The Scottish Fireworks Championships are at Perth Racecourse, Saturday 26 May. Funfair and bands from 5pm, fireworks from 10pm. Advance tickets, £8 (adults), £4 (under 16s) and family tickets £18, tel: [phone]. Prices on the night are £10, £5 and £20.