Mild and dry Easter weekend
1.5m Scots expected to make most of unseasonable weather
SCOTLAND is set to be bathed in glorious sunshine over the Easter holiday weekend.
And weather forecasters are predicting that temperatures across much of the country are also set to rise dramatically over the coming days.
Many areas could see the mercury reach nearly 60 degrees Fahrenheit (15.6c) – which is well up on normal temperatures experienced around this time of the year.
Many seaside resorts are already gearing up for an unexpected April bonanza as increasing numbers prepare to head to the coast to enjoy the sunshine.
And for a welcome change, while Scotland basks in the heat, it will be a different story south of the Border
Most of England and Wales is expected to be hit by overcast, cloudy conditions and rain for the holiday weekend.
SCOTLAND will bask in four days of sunshine over the Easter weekend, with the mercury soaring up to 5c more than usual at this time of year.
An estimated 1.5 million Scots will get on the road for day trips and weekend breaks, as families rush to make the most of the unseasonable weather.
The temperature is set to hit 15c (59f), and it will be sunny and dry across most of the country, while England and Wales are forecast to be soaked on Easter Sunday.
The good weather is in sharp contrast with last year, when Good Friday brought sub-zero temperatures and blizzards downed power lines, trapping people in their homes.
Met Office forecaster Dan Williams said: ‘It helps that Easter is later this year. The fact that it is a moveable feast brings big changes from one year to the next.
‘The settled conditions will be caused by a ridge, a region of relatively high atmospheric pressure. It means a pretty fine spell of weather over Easter, which I am sure Scotland will appreciate.’
Half of Scots will be setting off on a mini-break or outing, according to the AA – driving 170 miles on average.
The big Easter getaway has already begun, with Channel Tunnel passengers enduring a nightmare start to their holiday.
Those on the Eurostar between London, Paris and Brussels faced cancellations and delays yesterday after a fatality and a shuttle train breakdown.
An estimated 94,000 people will fly out of Glasgow and Prestwick airports and more than 60,000 out of Edinburgh over the weekend.
The favourite destinations are cheap sunshine spots, including Prime Minister David Cameron’s Easter holiday choice Lanzarote, as well as other Spanish islands such as Majorca and Tenerife.
However, the weather at home will see many people opting for a staycation instead.
These domestic holidays will boost the Scottish economy by £665million in April, according to tourist board Visit Scotland.
Chairman Mike Cantlay said: ‘Whether it’s exploring our worldfamous scenery, indulging in some of our vibrant culture, sampling the local food and drink or perhaps visiting a castle or two to learn about Scotland’s spectacular heritage, the possibilities are limitless.’
Among the activities available are the John Muir Festival in Dunbar on Easter Monday, meerkat-themed Easter egg trails at Edinburgh Zoo and events at the Falkirk Wheel.
An AA survey found 36 per cent of Scots plan to visit family and friends, with 33 per cent heading to the countryside and 14 per cent planning a trip to a garden centre.
Bill Munro, chairman of Glasgowbased Barrhead Travel, said: ‘We are seeing an increase in long weekends being taken in the UK because Easter is later and the weather is improved.
‘After a long winter, people are definitely l ooking for a bit of escapism.’
Sunny, dry conditions are forecast today, tomorrow and Sunday, with the exception of weak showers in the north-west of Scotland.
Easter Monday will bring a mainly dry day, with some light showers and top temperatures of 15c.
The only black cloud will be the usual railway engineering work and roadworks.
Scotrail said there will be engineering work between Kilmarnock and Annan today and at Motherwell on Sunday.
There will be roadworks overnight today on several sections of the M8, and more on Monday on the M9.