FIREFIGHTERS this weekend tackled a series of grass fires across Scotland as the country continued to bask in a heatwave.

The fire service was called to a blaze on a railway line near Boat of Garten, two miles north of Aviemore. Grass and bushes were ablaze at the side of the track and three fire engines attended.

In Perthshire, a fire covering around three acres of grassland broke out in flames near the village of Crook of Devon. It was brought under control by three fire crews.

A number of small grass fires in forests and scrubland were also reported in Grampian, Fife, Dumfries and Galloway and Central Scotland.

The blazes came as the Scottish Government re-issued health warnings while the hot weather looked set to continue.

Temperatures hit a high of 29.2C in Aviemore yesterday though the weather was cooler on much of the east coast.

Many flocked to beaches, while inland the beach came to the city, as the grounds of the Riverside Museum in Glasgow were engulfed in sand and lined with deck chairs for beach volleyball.

The Met Office said the outlook is for a "cooler, more unsettled outlook" from the middle of next week, when temperatures are expected to dip to the low 20s, while thundery showers are expected from Wednesday.

"Sunday's temperatures will be around 26C to 27C at highest across the north-west Highlands, and the central part of the country will have 23C to 25C, which is a degree or two down," said a Met Office spokesman.

"We have probably seen the hottest weather for now. We will see temperatures in the low-to-mid 20s through until midweek and then, towards the end of the week, it will fall way to the low 20s."

Health Secretary Alex Neil warned: "Young children, older people and those seriously ill are most at risk of developing health problems when the weather is very hot. Those with young children and elderly relatives should take extra care to make sure they have everything they need to stay safe in the sun, and it would be worth checking in on an elderly neighbour to make sure they are safe and well."

The heatwave is believed to have caused up to 760 premature deaths across the UK.

Neil added: "It is important that people drink plenty of water to stay hydrated, protect their skin with SP factor 15 or above and take shade during the hottest parts of the day."

Those taking to the hills were advised to be vigilant of overheating, dehydration and symptoms that could lead to heatstroke, while those enjoying the water were urged to act responsibly.

Police Scotland and Loch Lomond And The Trossachs National Park said rangers were out in patrol boats this weekend as last weekend they had to attend a series of collisions, sinkings and breakdowns.

Ranger David Cameron said: "Over the weekend, we reported 32 bye-law violations and witnessed a number of incidents, including collisions between jet skiers and a collision between a boat and a jet ski.

"We also attended an emergency call to a capsized yacht and helped tow numerous boats to safety. Please make sure your boat is fully maintained before you even think about coming on to the loch and make sure you have enough fuel."

Inspector Gerry McMenemy said: "Please don't drink alcohol and then go swimming or take part in recreational water activities. Alcohol affects people's inhibitions and people can easily make dangerous decisions when under the influence and put themselves at risk."

Meanwhile, the Met Office reduced its heatwave warning levels for much of England, with the north-west, west Midlands and south-west reduced from level three – when health services should take action to protect elderly, ill and the very young people – to level two, calling for "alert and readiness".

However, south of the Border, temperatures are expected to rise again next week.

The UK is currently in its first prolonged heatwave since 2006, with temperatures above 30C recorded somewhere in the country on each of the last six days.