Sparkler & Sons, Scott Street (1962 – 2026)
Family firework shop, three generations, one week a year. Replaced by a drone.
A box of sparklers, Sparkler & Sons' best-selling line since 1962. Photo: Felipe La Rotta Uploaded by Felipe La Rotta at en.wikipedia, “Chispitas2”, via Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
Sparkler & Sons, the family firework shop that was open for one week a year in a Scott Street doorway, has closed after 64 years.
Founded in 1962 by Wullie Sparkler (not his real name, but nobody remembers his real name), the shop sold rockets, Catherine wheels and “Mighty Bangers” that were described on the box as “Quite Loud”. Three generations of the family ran the business, each working one week a year and spending the other 51 “in recovery”.
The shop’s most famous product was the “Perth Rocket”, which was so slow that people could watch it go up, go to the toilet and come back before it went bang.
The owner said changing times had caught up with the business. “People want quiet now,” he said. “Drone shows. Lights with no bangs. Dogs are pleased. I’m pleased for the dogs. I’m less pleased for me.”
The family plans to open a drone shop instead, if anyone can explain to them how drones work.
Sparkler & Sons is survived by a box of Catherine wheels that have never spun properly, and one rocket that went up in 1984 and has not been seen since.
The real story: Perth and Kinross news (The Courier)
Letters to the Editor
The views expressed are those of the reader, and frankly that's on them.
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Bought my first rocket there in 1971. It went sideways into the neighbour’s hedge. Happy memories.
— Jim W., Tulloch, 1 November 2026 -
Very sad. Our dog, however, has asked me to pass on her congratulations.
— Senga P., Letham, 1 November 2026 -
The Perth Rocket was magic. You could light it, make a cup of tea, come back and still see it lift off.
— Pete C., Craigie, 1 November 2026
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