The votes have been cast and the soundtrack selected as the countdown continues to Aberdeen’s annual fireworks display.
Thousands are expected to attend the gathering at the city’s beach on Monday, November 5.
Hosted by Northsound 1’s Jeff and Lauren in the Morning, the free event, which is organised by Aberdeen City Council, will include fire jugglers and a charity firewalk from 6.30pm. The fireworks display will begin at 7.30pm.
This year’s display is set to movie theme tunes and is the culmination of months of preparation.
Earlier in the year, member of the public had a hand in selecting music by picking their favourite movie tunes from a shortlist. Since then display creator Fireworx Scotland has been busy planning and designing a display which promises to bring a wow factor to Aberdeen’s skyline.
Aberdeen City Council culture spokesperson councillor Marie Boulton said: “Our events calendar is growing every year in Aberdeen with new and exciting attractions, but the fireworks display remains a firm favourite and always gets tremendous support.
“Providing quality events through our Aberdeen 365 programme and bringing city spaces to life for the community is vitally important. With the community input into the music selection for this year’s display, we can’t wait to see the display and welcome visitors from near and far.”
Local charity Inspire will be hosting its fundraising fire-walk for the eighth year and has an intrepid group signed-up for the challenge.
Andrew Reid, development manager at Inspire, said "Once again we have been delighted with the level of interest in our Firewalk and are pleased to have more than 40 people facing their fears and walking over hot coals to help us mark our 30th anniversary and raise vital funds towards our work supporting adults with learning disabilities across the North-east of Scotland."
With crowds in excess of 12,000 each year, those joining the November 5 celebrations are encouraged to make use of the dedicated park and ride services provided on the night.
The best vantage points for the fireworks display are around the Beach Boulevard, Queens Links and Esplanade areas. Disabled parking is available to Blue Badge holders, on Links Road with access via Urquhart Road, on a first-come, first-served basis.
Roads are closed to ensure everyone can enter, watch and leave the area safely. There are no dedicated parking spaces, so people are advised to walk or get buses to the event as nearby roads are likely to be extremely busy.
Motorists who do choose to park in the surrounding area should ensure they follow temporary and existing parking restrictions and expect delays when leaving at the end of display.
Visitors are advised that they should not bring alcohol, fireworks or sparklers to the display.
Park and Ride buses are available from Bridge Don, Kingswells and Souter Head Road at Aberdeen Altens Hotel (formerly Altens Thistle Hotel).
Road closures and waiting restrictions are as follows:
Road Closures
From 2pm to 10pm on Monday, November 5, 2018
- Greyhope Road – from its junctions with St Fittick’s Road and Coast Road
From 5.30pm to 9pm on Monday, November 5, 2018
- Beach Boulevard – full length
- Links Road from its junction at Beach Retail Park (ASDA) to the
roundabout at the Beach Ballroom
- Esplanade from a point just north of Accommodation Road southwards to
the roundabout at Burger King
- Accommodation Road – full length
- Cotton Street – full length
- Constitution Street – full length
- Urquhart Road from its junction at Park Road to its junction at Links Road
- Miller Street from its junction at Castle Terrace to its junction at Garvock
Wynd
- Park Street at its junction with Justice Port Roundabout (Beach Boulevard roundabout)
- Commerce Street at its junction with Justice Port Roundabout (Beach Boulevard roundabout)
From 9pm to 11pm on Monday, November 5, 2018
- Beach Boulevard – From its south junction with Links
Road and its north junction to Links Road
Road Restrictions
From 5.30pm to 9pm on Monday, November 5, 2018
- No right turn from the entry road at Sunset Boulevard on to Links Road
- No right turn from Queens Links Leisure Park car park on to Links Road
- No left turn from Beach Retail Park car park on to Links Road
- No left turn from Wales Street on to Beach Boulevard
- No right turn from Hanover Street on to Beach Boulevard
- Exit from Doubletree by Hilton Hotel is by right turn on to Links Road and
no left turn on to Constitution Street
Waiting Restrictions
From 6pm on Sunday, November 4 to 9pm on Monday, November 5, 2018
- Links Road from its junction at Beach Esplanade to its junction with the Beach Boulevard at Urquhart Road
(Only Blue Badge holders will be accommodated for disabled parking)
- Beach Boulevard – full length
- Cotton Street – full length
- Urquhart Road from its junction at Links Road to its junction at Park Road
- Esplanade, both sides, from Burger King to Accommodation Road
From 2pm to 10.30pm on Monday, November 5, 2018
Greyhope Road, from its junctions with St. Fittick’s Road and Sinclair Road
Width Restrictions
From 8am to 11pm on Monday, November 5, 2018
To allow access for delivery of fireworks and the Park and Ride bus service from Bridge of Don.
- Beach Esplanade from its junction with King Street/Ellon Road to its Junction with Links Road (Roundabout).