Scotland set for an explosion of autumn colour
A LEADING tree specialist believes Scotland could be in line for a very colourful autumn.
The sustained heat over the summer has produced the perfect conditions for a riot of reds and oranges to rival anything we have seen before.
David Knott, curator of the Living Collection at the Royal Botanic Garden in Edinburgh said that, until now, nature’s finest show was in Autumn 2003.
He added: “This year, because things have been so dry, trees should end up looking pretty spectacular.
“Provided things remain as they are, and we experience some cooler weather, this Autumn’s colours should be as good as 2003. Whether this season is the best ever, we’ll have to wait and see. But it’s possible.”
Dropping temperatures and reduced daylight are the triggers for leaves to turn colour and fall.
Mr Knott said night-time temperatures have recently hovered around 13 or 14C (55-57F), briefly halting the onset of Autumn. He said only another storm, like Hector in June, will stand in the way of a spectacular show of colour.
He said it has also been a bumper time for berries, brambles and apples.
But he added: “Promising as these conditions are, the serious underlying issue is climate change. There is no denying now the significant impact we are having on the planet. We are living through the change.”
Edinburgh was one of the sunniest UK cities this summer, averaging 5.6 hours of sunshine a day between June 1 and August 19.
The Scottish capital is going into the final weekend of the International Festival and Fringe, hosting thousands of visitors from all over the world.
Today will provide the best weather of the weekend. Forecaster Grahame Madge said: “Compared to Sunday, Saturday will see pretty good conditions across most of Scotland.
“There will be the odd shower, sometimes heavy and thundery, but away from these areas, things should be dry and bright.”