Scotland basked in an unexpected burst of sunshine, as April delivered a surprise heatwave that felt more like midsummer than spring.
Scotland recorded its hottest day of the year so far, with temperatures reaching 22.1°C in Aboyne, Aberdeenshire. The heat brought a touch of summer to the northeast, as locals enjoyed clear skies and warm sunshine more typical of July than early April.
The unusually warm and dry conditions also brought very high pollen levels and an increased wildfire risk, but it might not be summer just yet, with cooler, damper weather expected to return by the weekend.
Our photographers went out to capture the sun seekers
Alfie Ingram enjoys his ice pop. Image: Darrell Benns/DC Thomson
From the left, Kayleigh, Maliyah, Erin, Chanel, Ciaran, and Bailey are with dog Patsy. Image: Darrell Benns/DC Thomson
Pictured are the Miskelly family. Image: Darrell Benns/DC Thomson
Pictured are the Rafferty family. Image: Darrell Benns/DC Thomson
Cyclists take in the warm weather. Image: Darrell Benns/DC Thomson
Carol, Ryleigh and Lauren Clark with dog Gus. Image: Darrell Benns/DC Thomson
River Dee in Aboyne. Image: Darrell Benns/DC Thomson
Cooling off. Image: Darrell Benns/DC Thomson
Enjoying the sun in Aboyne. Image: Darrell Benns/DC Thomson
Sunbathing by the River Dee in Aboyne. Image: Darrell Benns/DC Thomson
Flora and Eilidh Burke. Image: Darrell Benns/DC Thomson
The Ward Family. Image: Darrell Benns/DC Thomson
Oliver and Lana Greenhorn with dogs on an evening walk at Hazlehead Park. Image: Darrell Benns/DC Thomson
The sunny weather at Hazlehead Park made for a perfect day out. Image: Darrell Benns/DC Thomson
chalk drawing of the sun. Image: Darrell Benns/DC Thomson
Biking through Hazlehead Park. Image: Darrell Benns/DC Thomson
Popular Hazlehead Park. Image: Darrell Benns/DC Thomson
Walking dogs at Aberdeen beach. Image: Kami Thomson/DC Thomson
A warm day for Golf at the Kings Links, Aberdeen. Image: Kami Thomson/DC Thomson
Seaton Park. Image: Kami Thomson/DC Thomson
Union Terrace Gardens. Image: Kami Thomson/DC Thomson
Lunchtime in Union Terrace Gardens. Image: Kami Thomson/DC Thomson
Union Terrace Gardens. Image: Kami Thomson/DC Thomson
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GALLERY: Aboyne sizzles as Scotland basks in spring sunshine
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