Surge in bookings of last-minute holidays as Scots search for sunshine

Travel agents are reporting a massive surge in bookings as disgruntled Scots head abroad in search of summer sunshine.

With forecasters warning that the wet weather is here to stay, holidaymakers are scrambling for last-minute deals.

Heavy downpours and flash floods have been a feature of the summer so far with most of Scotland a washout.

Downbeat by the downpours, many have now given up on seeing any sunshine at home and are snapping up holidays abroad to escape the relentless rain.

It is a similar picture at airports across the country where travel agents are reporting a massive surge in bookings.

Bill Munro, at Barrhead Travel, said: “Sales are definitely up. It has been a very late booking market anyway but over the last few weeks its been 20% to 25% up week on week compared to last year which is great for us.”

One cafe owner in Aberdeen said the rain has been wreaking havoc with his business.

Vincent Canale said: “I’ve done 60 years on the beach and I could honestly say that this June and July is the worst one that I’ve ever done here. We’ve cut our staff during the week because there is hardly anyone going about. We’re totally reliant on the ball in the sky.”

Experts predict a mass getaway as rain batters the country over the next week but those jetting off to Europe are already being warned that they may not be leaving the wet weather behind them.

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