Scotland weather forecast: Rain clouds on way as lockdown restrictions to be relaxed

Rain clouds are set to cover much of the country as Scotland’s sun-soaked weekend comes to a lamentably abrupt end in time for the relaxation of lockdown restrictions.

It's time to dig out those brollies as the good weekend weather vanishes for the week ahead.

From Monday, cafes, restaurants and beer gardens will be allowed to open for the first time in months, along with non-essential shops, gyms, swimming pools, libraries and museums.

People will also be permitted to meet others for a meal or drink, with up to six people from two households allowed to socialise in a public place outside.

Cross-border travel to England and Wales will also be permitted, while tourist accommodation can also welcome back visitors.

But anyone hoping for a little sunshine to accompany long-awaited reopenings and reunions will be disappointed – grey clouds and rain are set to sweep across much of the country, meaning most of us will be digging out the brollies.

Cloud and rain will develop on Sunday evening, enveloping much of Scotland and becoming widespread by the afternoon.

Rain will be persistent for many throughout the course of the day and will be heavy in places. There will also be a moderate breeze in most locations.

However, don’t be too despondent – the good weather is set to return for most of Scotland by the end of the week.

In Dumfries and Galloway, Lothian & Borders, the Met Office predicts a bright morning with sunny spells, but with cloud cover continuing to increase and some showery outbreaks of rain likely by the afternoon. Southwesterly winds will restrict the temperature to a maximum of 14C.

In Strathclyde, there will be some brightness at first, but things will be generally cloudy. A short spell of rain is expected to spread south in the afternoon with showers following.

Central Tayside & Fife there will be occasional outbreaks of heavy rain spreading southeast. Things will turn more showery in the afternoon, with the possibility of a few bright spells developing.

Moving into Grampian, the Highlands & Eilean Siar, it will be a cloudy day with occasional outbreaks of rain spreading southeast. Some bright spells can be expected in the afternoon, but winds will be stronger than in recent days. Maximum temperate will be 12C.

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