The National Trust for ­Scotland recorded its busiest Easter for visitors thanks to the good weather and the popularity of its egg trails.

More than 27,000 youngsters attended events last weekend, representing a 10% increase on last year's total. The trails, organised by the National Trust for Scotland and Cadbury, took place at 45 different venues including Culzean Castle in Ayrshire and Crathes Castle in Aberdeenshire.

With temperatures ­reaching about 18°C, families from all across the country came out in force for a busy holiday weekend.

As a result, this year has been the most successful Easter on record for the National Trust for Scotland's heritage properties — while other tourist attractions in the country also recorded bumper crowds.

Carly Lamberty, marketing manager for the trust, said: "Easter has been growing every year for the Trust, but 2014 has been our biggest yet. In fact, over the Easter weekend we had our busiest four days ever, with over 100,000 visitors across Scotland coming along to get involved in the family fun."

Culzean Castle was the most popular venue for egg hunting, with 2725 "eggsplorers" taking part. Meanwhile, crowds at Crathes Castle totalled at 2408.

The weather played a major part in the success, as parts of Scotland proved hotter than some areas of Spain and Portugal.