SCOTLAND isn’t meant for this sort of heat.
The last time the temperature went above 32.2C was in 1893 in Ochertyre in Perth.
Yesterday, as temperatures soared, Glasgow’s Science Centre even started melting.
Walkers taking a stroll along the Clyde could see a black goo dripping down the famous titanium-clad, ship’s hull-shaped building.
Sharon Lyons from the centre explained that this wasn’t supposed to be happening: “As Scotland enjoys ‘taps aff’ weather, the weatherproof membrane from our roof is quite literally melting.
“The structural integrity of the roof is completely sound, but we are left with a bit of an unsightly black goo on the roof.
“When we return to typical Glasgow colder climes, we shall set about cleaning it.”
For some the sun was fun. Holidaying weans devoured ice cream, workers got to leave the office early, and the nations’ parks were filled.
But for commuters in the central belt there was chaos. Trains were forced to slow right down as the rails started to expand in the heart.
David Dickson, Network Rail’s infrastructure director for the ScotRail Alliance, said: “On very sunny days, rails in direct sunshine can be as much as 20 degrees centigrade above air temperature causing the steel to expand markedly and could, if not carefully monitored and action taken, buckle causing travel disruption.
“Our engineers and specialist extreme weather teams are monitoring track-side temperatures and vulnerable locations and will, if necessary, introduce temporary speed restrictions during the hottest part of the day to keep trains running, albeit more slowly than normal.”
Services between Edinburgh and Glasgow decreased from four times an hour to twice an hour, while trains between Edinburgh and Dunblane were down to an hourly service
There was also a wildfire warning, as firefighters continued to tackle a blaze in woods near Bathgate.
Crews were first called at around 5pm on Wednesday, with the fire covering a 200m area, by Falla Hill Place in Fauldhouse, West Lothian.
Group manager Mark Bryce said: “The fire has not spread any further but it has taken hold within trees and heavy vegetation and the terrain out here is proving difficult and challenging. We are using aggressive firefighting tactics to extinguish it as soon as possible.”
Bruce Farquharson, chair of the Scottish Wildfire Forum, urged those enjoying the great outdoors to show a little caution.
“Grass and wildfires are a common risk at this time of year when warmer weather dries out vegetation – especially dead winter foliage – which offers an ample fuel source.
“Just one heat source can cause it to ignite and if the wind changes direction, even the smallest fire can spread uncontrollably and devastate entire hillsides.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here