It will as come as a surprise to those who have been enduring a soggy spring.

Just days into May, fire chiefs have put parts of Scotland on high alert for wildfires.

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) warned of an ‘extreme risk’ of wildfires after temperatures soared above 20C (68F) over several days, turning the ground into a tinderbox. 

Wildfire spread across a vast grass and gorse area near Connel in Argyll

It comes after Scotland suffered its fourth wettest April in records going back to 1836.

The SFRS has urged people in the North-west to be cautious and avoid naked flames.

The warning came after fire crews battled a massive blaze near Connel in Argyll. 

Group commander Niall MacLennan said: ‘It is crucial that people act safely and responsibly in rural environments.’

Forecasters said temperatures are expected to drop across the West today and Sunday with some scattered showers.

The Met Office’s Greg Dewhurst said: ‘Lot of cloud and rain around, especially around the Central Belt and the Borders regions where it could be heavy and even thundery.

‘Any chance of sunshine will be around the Western Isles and the North-west Highlands. Then Sunday and Monday sunny spells and scattered showers.’