THOMAS Maule, 16, cools down with the help of a bucket of water at Troon South Beach as the recent mini-heatwave continued.

Bishopton, Renfrewshire, recorded Scotland's hottest day of the year so far at 25.4°C and the warm weather is expected to remain today before the mercury drops a few degrees tomorrow.

Laura Young, of the Met Office, said: "Unless you live in the far north-west of Scotland, you will enjoy a fine week of weather.

"But temperatures will drop back by the end of the week, with between 18 and 19 degrees celsius on Thursday and Friday. Still, that's pretty good going and well above average for the time of year."

Picture: Colin Mearns