Warning to avoid £500 outdoor penalty as Scotland basks in mini heatwave

Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Scotland is set for a mini heatwave, with temperatures to be "as hot as Barcelona" .

Scots can expect to enjoy temperatures matching Spanish hotspots this week with the mercury climbing to highs of 20C. On Tuesday (April 1), clear skies appeared and temperatures reportedly rose to 17C by around 3pm - matching that of Barcelona on the same day. This continues into Wednesday, with another bright and sunny day coming .



Many Brits will be heading outdoors for picnics and alfresco dining. But before you pack your picnic basket, be aware - you could face a fine of up to £500 for something as simple as leaving your litter behind. In Scotland, littering carries a fixed penalty of £80, with potential court fines of up to £2,500.

while the fixed penalty for fly-tipping increased to £500 in January last year. In various parts of England, like Liverpool, Buckinghamshire, and the Cotswolds, fines for littering have been increased to a maximum of £500. Scotland faces a significant litter problem, with 15,000 tonnes or 250 million items collected annually, costing at least £60 million to clean up, according to the Scottish Government.

With this in mind, Rachael Kiss from Alliance Online , one of the UK’s largest catering suppliers, has shared six essential tips to help you enjoy your outdoor feast without breaking the rules. "Make sure to always take your litter home with you," Rachel urged. "Leaving your litter behind can be damaging to wildlife and nature and it creates eyesores, ruining our enjoyment of the great outdoors.

"Not only that, it can also leave you with a hefty fine of up to £500, so make sure you always take your litter home with you and dispose of it properly." "Respecting those around you and adhering to park byelaws is crucial when dining in public outdoor spaces ," Rachel continued. "Byelaws are set by your local council and it is important to adhere to all local rules and regulations.

General tips include keeping noise levels down and following guidelines regarding alcohol consumption. "Breaking these rules can see you removed from the park, or even see the police involved in extreme cases." "When preparing your feast, you may want to use disposable food packaging for ease," Rachel continued.

"If this is the case, then you should always opt for eco-friendly disposables to help protect the environment. "These products are designed to be biodegradable or compostable and are much better for the environment than single use plastics." "If you are planning to use a disposable BBQ in a public space this summer , only use it in a specially designated area and always follow the safety guidance of your BBQ," Rachel advised.

"Barbecues can be great fun in the summer but it is always important to take extra care when handling a disposable BBQ and dispose of it responsibly once it has cooled down to prevent any fire hazards." "When picking out your food for al fresco dining, it is important to choose a range of foods that won’t spoil in the warm weather to avoid any food related illnesses . "Fresh fruit, salad, nuts, coleslaws, crisps and sandwiches made with stable ingredients are all excellent choices for outdoor dining.

" "Staying hydrated may seem obvious, however it is extremely important if you are going out for the day and staying outside in the sun," Rachel finished. "Water is essential for regulating your body temperature, especially when you are in the heat, so make sure you are drinking an optimal amount of water when sitting outdoors for prolonged periods of time." Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today.

You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile , select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'.

We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.

If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice..