Sunseekers enjoy hottest day in June for 23 years

Mercury soars to 30.9C in Aviemore and forecasters say weather may break record of 32.2C 125 years ago

Sunseekers have been flocking to parks and beaches as Scotland enjoys its hottest June day in 23 years.

Temperatures soared to 30.9C (87.62F) in Aviemore yesterday afternoon, making it the hottest day of the year so far and the hottest since June 1995.

The high temperature broke the previous 2018 record for Scotland of 27.5C (81.5F) set by Achnagart in the Highlands in May.

With hot weather expected to continue today, forecasters said temperatures might even go on to break the June record of 32.2C (89.96F) in Ochtertyre in Perth and Kinross in 1893.

Temperatures were cooler in the east, reaching 22.8C (73.04) in Aberdeen and 19C (66.2) in Edinburgh.

Met Office forecaster Simon Partridge said: “While western Scotland has been in the mid to high 20s the eastern side has been high teens to low 20s because of the breeze coming off the sea.

“There is a chance we could see record breaking temperatures tomorrow but after that temperatures will ease off so tomorrow is the best bet for any record breaking temperatures.

“After tomorrow temperatures will come down a bit though will still be mid20s.”

There may be an unusual bonus to the current heat wave sweeping the country, the death of millions of dehydrated midges.

The leading expert on the biting beastie said today the soaring temperatures were seeing the numbers caught in recording traps fall dramatically.

It will be some respite for people who have complained of huge recent swarms, especially down the west coast.

“Midges like it warm and wet, not hot and dry,” said Dr Alison Blackwell.

“The numbers are falling quickly in this hot spell. They only have a 2mm wingspan so they become dehydrated quickly. They need moist weather. In this prolonged hot spell many will die.”