Sun-starved Scots took to parks, beaches and gardens yesterday to take advantage one of the hottest days of the year.
Temperatures hit sweltering highs of 26C in parts of Moray, reaching 23C in Aberdeen itself and 22C in parts of Aberdeenshire as the north-east basked under clear blue skies.
However, the best place to catch a tan in Scotland turned out to be the northern Highlands, where thermometers reached sizzling highs of 27C late in the afternoon.
Those living along the west coast were also treated to warmer weather, with highs of 24C recorded in Skye and the surrounding coastline.
Islanders enjoyed slightly cooler temperatures throughout the day, with highs of 17C on the Hebrides, 19C on Orkney and comparatively chilly lows of 13C on Shetland.
And the warm weather looks likely to continue – for some.
Temperature has risen again with 30.4 °C recorded at Kew Gardens. We could see 35 °C tomorrow #HeatWave https://t.co/D8XLRlJRXP
— Met Office (@metoffice) June 30, 2015
The Met Office said today’s temperatures were predicted to climb as high as 26C with slight cloud cover across much of the central, western and northern Highlands.
And although some people will see highs of 25C in western Aberdeenshire, heavy rain has been predicted across much of the north-east as the day progresses.
On Thursday many parts of Scotland will be affected by thunderstorms, as the warm weather gives way to colder temperatures of between 15C-20C across the country.
Inverness, Fort William and other parts of the central Highlands are all being warned to brace themselves for storms throughout the afternoon.
By Friday the warm weather is predicted to pass, with temperatures of about 15C and dry cloud cover forecast for the north-east and northern highlands, however, the west coast and central highlands are likely to enjoy a warm, cloud-covered day before a sunny, clear evening.
