Yesterday was the hottest day of this sunshine-filled week with temperatures soaring across the north.
The two hottest places were Aviemore in the Highlands and Aboyne in Aberdeenshire, which each reached 30.1C.
Colin Little, bar tender at Café Mambo in Aviemore, said: “It’s really hot outside and very busy about the place. A lot of people are going up to the beach at Loch Morlich.
“We have been busy, a lot of customers have been looking for cold drinks. It’s been really hot the last few days but particularly today.
“We are pretty lucky in the bar, we have got air conditioning down here, but the chefs up in the kitchen are really struggling in the heat.”
Inverness reached 29C but further north in Caithness and Sutherland it was a bit cooler with temperatures reaching the mid-20s.
In Inverness the swing bridges on the Caledonian Canal were kept closed in case the heat caused them to become stuck.
A spark from a train making its way out of Inverness is believed to be responsible for starting a grass fire yesterday.
The flames extended over quite a large area of the embankment beside the tracks with an estimated area of around 1,000 square feet.
Out towards the Western Isles it was slightly cooler in some places towards the coast at 20c.
Becky Mitchell, meteorologist for the Met Office, said: “Generally inland areas were warmest.
“It is going to gradually turn a bit fresher over the next few days but it will still be warm and sunny.
“Friday will be a cooler picture in some areas like Moray and Aberdeen being clear but fresher.
“Further west it will be very dry with lots of sunshine. The southern part of the north of Scotland will have some areas of cloud.
“Aviemore will reach 28C on Friday, while Aberdeen will be nearer to 17C.
“The weekend should stay dry for most places, Saturday afternoon could see a few showers across the Highlands, that’s the only place with any threat of rain.
“Elsewhere it will be staying dry with temperatures in the low twenties.
“On Saturday and Sunday there is a threat of low cloud along the east coast.”
