It is only the second day of Scotland’s summer and already the temperatures have broken records again.

Wednesday was the hottest day of 2012, with the mercury hitting 27C in Altnaharra in the Highlands.

Temperatures also reached 26.9C at Aviemore on Wednesday afternoon, putting the heat level just two degrees short of the record set in Edinburgh in 1992.

STV weather forecaster Sean Batty said: “Temperatures are already at 27C in Altnaharra and they are in the mid-to-high teens across midland and inland parts of the country."

Sean expects temperatures to soar to 28C before 5pm on Wednesday and he forecasts that the weekend will be even hotter.

He added: “UV levels are fairly high and people should make sure to apply their sunblock. These levels will only increase as the week goes on and sun protection will be essential by the weekend, when there will be clear blue skies.

“With the settled weather set to continue, we can expect more temperatures like this into next week.”

However, there is also a chance of isolated showers in the south and south east of the country by late afternoon or early evening.

For more information on sun awareness, visit the STV Health Centre, brought to you by NHS inform.

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