Day trippers have been flocking to Moray’s coastal towns as the region basked in sunshine for the Easter Holiday weekend.
While remaining slightly cooler than the 17degree temperatures recorded in parts of the Highlands thus far, beaches at Burghead, Hopeman and Lossiemouth were kept busy as horizon to horizon blue skies helped keep temperatures at around 14-15degrees.
And that has been much better than many coastal areas south of the border – with forecasters saying that there is perhaps more to come.
“It will remain fine on Sunday throughout Scotland – but the same cannot be said for southern parts of the UK,” a Met Office spokesman said, adding: “Showers will be spreading north from the south east of England, and it will be quite heavy in southern and central areas.
“On Monday Scotland will again escape the worst as it remains cloudy in the rest of the country.”
Lossiemouth saw a high of 15degrees on Friday and Saturday – and that brought smiles to the faces of holidaymakers Peter and Alice Gregory. Peter said: “We come up to Lossiemouth most years but this is the first time we’ve travelled for the Easter weekend.
“The kids love the open spaces here on the East Beach in particular and we had some fantastic weather last year – but were a little doubtful if we were coming north a bit too early.
“But our first two days have been spectacular, people living in Moray are really blessed to be able to call this home.”
With the sun remaining today the planned Easter Eggstravaganza event at Roseisle Forest is expected to draw a crowd. Organised by the Moravian Orienteering Club, the family outing will include an Easter Egg hunt as well as activities organised by the Forestry Commission Scotland.
A spokesman for the organisers said: “The purpose is to help develop the profile of orienteering as a hobby in Moray. We have teamed up with the Forestry Commission to add a twist of adventure to what has become an annual Easter event.
“There will be something for everyone and we are expecting up to 1500 visitors to the Forest.”