Scotland has been enjoying a spell of warm early summer weather, with temperatures reaching 23.5C in Edinburgh on Sunday as sunshine drew people outdoors.
While the country has missed the most extreme heat recorded further south, the warm conditions have still created busy scenes across beaches, surf spots and scenic coastal areas.
On Irvine Beach, Ella Scott was pictured making the most of the sunshine alongside her Shetland pony Cookie, with the pair cooling off by the shoreline as families and day-trippers flocked to the coast.
The relaxed seaside scenes reflected the growing crowds taking advantage of the warm spell, with beachgoers enjoying the sand, sea air and rare early summer heat.
Nearby, Eva Scott was also seen enjoying the good weather on Irvine Beach with her horse Beyoncé, as the pair took a break from the heat along the shoreline.
The unusual sight of horses on the beach added to the lively atmosphere, with visitors stopping to watch as the coastline filled with people making the most of the conditions.
View 4 ImagesEva Scott and her horse Beyonce cool down on Irvine Beach(Image: Mick McGurk)
Further north in the capital, surfers were spotted riding waves at Lost Shore Surf Resort in Edinburgh, where consistent swells and warm air created ideal conditions for those hitting the water.
The artificial surf lagoon has become a popular draw in recent years, and scenes of surfers catching waves highlighted how Scots are embracing outdoor activities during the warm spell.
The UK has been experiencing an intense burst of early summer heat, with England, Wales and Northern Ireland all recording their highest temperatures of 2026 so far on Sunday.
View 4 ImagesSurfers enjoy the waves at Lost Shore Surf Resort Edinburgh(Image: Alan Simpson Photography)
England reached 32.1C at Heathrow, Wales hit 27.4C in Cardiff, and Northern Ireland recorded 23.4C in Armagh, while Scotland saw highs of 23.5C in Edinburgh.
Forecasters say the heat could intensify further, with the Met Office predicting temperatures may soar to around 35C on Monday and Tuesday in parts of the UK. Monday is expected to be the hottest day of the year so far, potentially breaking records again after already historic highs over the weekend.
View 4 ImagesSurfers enjoy the waves at Lost Shore Surf Resort Edinburgh(Image: Alan Simpson Photography)
However, the heat is expected to be short-lived. While temperatures may remain in the low 30s across southern areas into midweek, models suggest a significant change in conditions later in the week, with a cooler and more unsettled spell following.
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Some forecasts indicate temperatures could struggle to rise much above 10C in parts of the UK in early June, with early morning lows potentially dropping close to freezing in parts of Scotland.
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