Scotland is sizzling under its hottest spell of the year so far — with forecasters confirming the country is officially in heatwave territory as temperatures rocket past 28°C across several regions.
For many, it’s sun cream, shades and paddling pools at the ready. For others, the unusual heat is bringing both excitement and concern.
Hottest Spots On The Map
The mercury’s been climbing all week. By Friday, Aboyne in Aberdeenshire topped the lot at a scorching 28.9°C, narrowly beating Aviemore and Inverness at 28°C.
A single line: Even Glasgow and Edinburgh basked in temperatures nudging 27°C and 26°C.
Come Saturday, some parts of inland Aberdeenshire and Perthshire could flirt with 31°C. That’s more Mediterranean than Moray.
Met Office records show places like Aboyne and Leuchars have already crossed the official heatwave benchmark — three consecutive days of 25°C or above.
Big Crowds, Big Heat
It’s not just back gardens and beaches that’ll feel the burn. Scotland’s summer calendar is packed with big outdoor events this weekend:
-
TRNSMT festival is packing Glasgow Green with music fans.
-
Tiree Music Festival brings campers and revellers to the Hebridean island.
-
The Island Games in Orkney sees athletes competing under blazing skies.
One line: Organisers are reminding folk to hydrate and slap on the sunscreen.
Not Everyone’s Thrilled
While many are heading for the Firth of Clyde or the Moray Firth to cool off, the heatwave brings real worries too.
A short line: For older people, kids and anyone with health conditions, this sudden spike is no joke.
Local councils are urging neighbours to check on vulnerable residents, especially in built-up city spots where heat can linger overnight.
Will It Last?
Scotland’s weather loves a twist, and the Met Office says this burst of heat will likely stick around through the weekend before dipping back towards more typical temperatures next week.
One line: For now, the rare chance to hit the beach — and actually swim in water that doesn’t turn you blue — has families flocking to coastal spots.
Here’s how Friday’s highs stacked up:
| Location | Temperature |
|---|---|
| Aboyne, Aberdeenshire | 28.9°C |
| Aviemore, Highlands | 28°C |
| Inverness, Highlands | 28°C |
| Glasgow, Central Belt | 27°C |
| Edinburgh, Lothians | 26°C |
Last month, Glasgow narrowly missed out on heatwave status — two hot days above 25°C, then a frustrating 24.4°C on day three. This time, there’s no doubt.
It’s a rare taste of the kind of extreme weather experts say could become more common as Scotland’s climate shifts.
One short line: For now, sunseekers are soaking it up — before the rain inevitably returns.
