WATCH: Highlands to bask in temperatures higher than parts of the Mediterranean next week as Met Office predicts up to 21C

ATHENS, Barcelona, Rome and other Mediterranean holiday destinations are all set to be colder than parts of the Highlands early next week, the Met Office is predicting.

The mercury in inland parts of the Highlands is forecast to top out at 21C or "perhaps even slightly higher" thanks in part to a weather phenomenon known as the Foehn effect – which sees areas on the leeward sides of hilly or mountainous terrain experience markedly higher temperatures than other nearby communities.

Indeed, while the mercury is expected to top 20C in some inland parts of the Highlands, things will be decidedly chillier further east, with Aberdeen experiencing highs a good 7C or 8C cooler than those being predicted for Aviemore or Inverness.

Presenting the Met Office's latest 10-day forecast, Clare Nasir said that although Saturday may start off cool in many parts, possibly even with a touch of frost, warmer air will begin to push in from the south-west and then things will begin to turn milder for areas around inland parts of the Highlands as well as the Moray Firth.

By Sunday, parts of the Highlands will see the mercury rise to 17C, and once the Foehn effect is added in the figures could rise further in the coming days.

As we head into the start of next week, the quieter weather will see temperatures continue to rise gradually, with mercury maxing out at 20C or "perhaps even slightly higher" – the first time this year thermometers have reached the 20s.

She added that on the coasts, the cold sea temperatures of this time of the year will mean the weather will still be cool, with onshore breezes chilling the air slightly.

But, head inland and the weather will likely be very pleasant indeed with the mercury on Tuesday rising to 20C or 21C, a degree or two higher than predictions for Barcelona in Spain, Athens in Greece, and Rome in Italy – and roughly on par with the likes of Nice and Toulon on the French Riviera.

Clare Nasir said: "Temperatures generally across the major cities and inland will be above average, peaking at 20C, perhaps even slightly higher. [It will be] generally drier but we will be tracing cloud though, particularly along the coast where we see an onshore breeze, but many areas will see some sunshine as well."

Maximum temperatures in selected Highland locations on Monday/Tuesday:

• Altnaharra: 21C
• Aviemore: 19C/20C
• Dingwall: 17C
• Dornoch: 16C
• Fort William 18C
• Gairloch: 14C
• Golspie: 15C
• Inverness: 17C
• Inverness Airport: 18C
• Lairg: 15C
• Lochinver: 17C
• Nairn: 16C
• Tain: 17C
• Thurso: 16C
• Ullapool: 17C
• Wick: 12C

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