A Highland village yesterday recorded Scotland's highest-ever January temperature.

Aboyne, in Aberdeenshire, usually averages 4C or 5C during the first month of the year, but at 2pm the temperature hit 17.7C (63.9F), making it warmer than the Costa del Sol.

This was only just short of the UK record for January, 18.3C, which was measured at Aber in North Wales on January 27, 1958.

PA WeatherCentre expert Michael Dukes said warm winds from the Azores were responsible.

"It is very mild elsewhere across the UK but 17.7C is exceptional and is warmer than many a summer day."

Carol Marshall, assistant manager of the Aboyne's Boat Inn, said that people had been wearing shorts in the pub because the weather was so mild.

She said: "Sunday is the day for going out for a walk and a pint. It was very busy for this time of year."

The North-East also enjoyed some unseasonable temperatures. The weather station in Newcastle reported a high of about 13C (55F), more than double the January average.

But Mr Dukes warned that people should not get carried away with the mild temperatures.

"There is going to be a distinct change in the next few days with snow and ice on the way," he said.

"The wind will swing round to the north by the middle of the week, bringing bitterly cold air all the way from the North Pole."