West of Scotland basks in sunshine

SCOTS in the west of the country yesterday enjoyed the October sunshine in what forecasters dubbed an Indian summer.

The 20C sunshine was 7C above normal, as the country continued to bask in the highest temperatures this late in the year since 27 October, 2005, when Edinburgh's Royal Botanic Gardens reached 22.1C.

The mercury was peaking yesterday at 20C in Lusa, on the Isle of Skye.

Weathermen predicted more 20C sunshine today, with temperatures a degree or two lower tomorrow.

Met Office forecaster Andrew Kimber said: "As Scotland is receiving easterly winds, there's a lot of cloud on the eastern side of the country.

"But the cloud broke to allow sunshine in the west, which has had warmer air and the best temperatures.

"It will be similarly warm on Sunday, with 19C or 20C - well above average for the time of year - and slightly milder on Monday."

In England, temperatures nudged towards 22C and resorts had bumper trade.