Wowee Get out the Deck Chairs. Scotland Almost Hits 30 Degrees!

With the highest temperatures yet to come, Scots were yesterday already buckling under the strain of a prolonged heatwave (read warmwave) which put Mediterranean holiday resorts in the shade.




There was a very real chance that the winter snow would finally melt.









As the mercury continued to threaten 30C, trade unions urged bosses to allow workers to loosen collars (and that everyone should be allowed hourly pub breaks). An air conditioning firm rushed out a survey showing that productivity slumped during the high temperatures (and that elephants should be made available in everywork place to provide refreshing showers).



The continued hot weather also brought health warnings, with elderly people especially at risk of strokes and overheating. The productivity survey also showed younger employees aged between 18 and 29 are three times more likely than their older colleagues to become aggressive as temperatures soar.






Dr Harry Burns, Scotland's chief medical officer, urged people to drink lots of water.



















The public should be sun aware and should avoid sitting in direct sunshine between 12 and 3pm when the sun is at its hottest. You should stay cool by using fans or sitting in the shade and, if you are going to be in the sun, you should use UVA protective lotions and wear a hat," he said.




Though the heatwave has not broken any national records, its duration and intensity is unusual, and temperatures exceeded that in holiday destination including Athens, Bermuda, Rio de Janeiro, Rome (and Adelaide).











Thousands headed for the beach in Aberdeen on Monday where the city experienced its hottest day since records began at a roasting 29.8C. However, a change of wind direction brought cooler air from the Atlantic Ocean yesterday, leading to lower temperatures in eastern parts of the country and the highest recorded in southern and western areas.





Mr Justice Aikens, a High Court judge sitting at the Old Bailey, took off his wig yesterday morning and told others to do the same.

As thousands of people flocked to Scotland's beaches, lochs and rivers, the RNLI warned against using inflatables on the water. Colin Millar, of Troon lifeboat team, said: "Lilos may be fun in the swimming pool but they are not safe on the sea. If you see someone on a lilo being swept out to sea, don't go after them, ring 999/112 immediately.