Sizzling Scotland records the warmest day in THREE YEARS
The Met Office said the 32.2C (90F) reached in Aviemore was the warmest since Scotland's hottest day ever in July 19 2022, when 34.8C (95F) was recorded at Charterhall in the Borders.
Four other areas, Achnagart and Kinlochewe in Ross and Cromarty, Dundreggan in Invernessshire and Aboyne in Aberdeenshire all recorded over 30C.
And it was also expected to be Scotland's hottest NIGHT ever on Saturday night as the Met Office said temperatures were expected to be as high as 21C (68-70F).
The hottest night ever recorded was 20.9C (70F) at Achnagart in Ross & Cromarty on 26 July 2019. Anything above 20C is termed a 'tropical night' by meteorologists.
Families headed for hot spots with roads to popular beaches and Loch Lomond jammed as hundreds made the dash to sunbathe and enjoy the water.
Families and friends made their own dash to water and the pier at Luss on Loch Lomond proved a popular jumping-off point for a queue of brave youngsters.
Little ones with their buckets and spades made the most of the little stretch of sand offered by the village.
In the afternoon, drivers faced delays caused by a two-car accident at the Lomondgate Roundabout near Renton, which shut the busy A82.
Police Scotland asked motorists to avoid the area.
Further north, Aviemore in the Highlands proved to be the hottest spot in the country yesterday - hotter than Honolulu, the capital of Hawaii which was 30C (86F) amid downpours.
Hundreds of day-trippers got up early to pack the beach at 10am at Loch Morlich, sitting beneath the Cairngorms and its last remaining patch of winter snow.
Beata and Igor Gazdzik were having fun paddleboarding in the water. Beata said: 'Luckily we got here early as the car park was full by 9.45am.
'The weather is glorious and being out on the loch is a great way of keeping cool.'
Igor added: 'I am keeping my hat on all day as it's so hot my head would burn.'
Mitch Jachacy from Aviemore was having fun jumping off his board into the loch to try and keep cool.
On the second day at the TRNSMT music festival at Glasgow Green, security guards turned hoses on the crowd to help keep revellers cool.
Less welcome were the six arrests for a variety of offences, including police assault, assault, hate crime and outstanding warrants. Two boys, aged 16 and 17 were taken to hospital after becoming unwell at the festival.
The Aviemore area has been identified as a potential trouble spot for wildfires, with roadside signs warning visitors not to light barbecues.
A fire chief has pleaded for greater public responsibility after he revealed people are almost always behind the wildfires affecting the country.
'So what we're urging people to do is absolutely go ahead and enjoy the countryside. It's a really important part in the UK of both social and exercise activities.'
He called for 'responsible and careful' behaviour in the countryside, asking people to observe the Scottish outdoor access code.
Mr MacKay added: 'But fundamentally, please don't use things like disposable barbecues, don't start campfires.
'And if you are bringing things with you, be that rubbish, glass bottles, cigarettes or the likes of vapes or anything with a battery in it, please bring it home with you. Don't dispose of it in the countryside.'
Largs businesswoman Tiffany Irvin said it was 'just like the old days' as the Clyde Coast resort was thronged by visitors.
Tiffany, 41, runs the Beachcomber ice cream parlour and The Fish Works, voted Scotland's best chippie three years in a row.
She said: 'Because it's so hot, everyone is going for the ice cream so far. The promenade is packed to capacity and families have even been putting up tents and gazebos on the grass.
'It's just like the old days. We haven't seen anything like this in decades.'
A change is on the way on Monday as low pressure moves in from west, meaning wet and much cooler weather dominating our climate on Monday and Tuesday.
But before then lies Sunday - and the final day of Scotland's remarkable heatwave.
The edge may be coming off temperatures, but parts of Scotland can still expect a sunny day and the mercury nudging 29C (84F).
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