Skaters take to frozen Queens Park pond as big chill lingers on

Days of below zero temperatures have turned the boating pond into a makeshift ice rink with a surface firm enough to bear the weight of anyone brave enough to set forth.  

The frozen pond has become a hit with winter sports enthusiasts and thrill-seekers in recent years when cold snaps linger long enough.  

Meanwhile, members of the Highland Curling Club were able to indulge in their sport in Inverness, playing on flooded sheets following the coldest night in 15 years. 

The temperature in Altnahara dropped to minus 18.9C overnight on January 11, making it the most chilly place in Britain.  

The Met Office has predicted another cold night ahead on Saturday, but the big freeze is set to ease in the coming days as temperatures start to climb.  

Curlers enjoy the winter chill in Inverness (Image: PA) Met Office meteorologist Zoe Hutin said on Saturday that night temperatures are expected to drop widely to below freezing in eastern areas. 

She said: “So another chilly night to come on Saturday, but then as we go into Sunday and into Monday, then we can start to expect temperatures to recover somewhat. 

“I won’t rule out the risk of seeing something around or just below freezing again on Sunday night into Monday, but it won’t be quite so dramatic as the temperatures that we’re going to experience as we go overnight tonight.” 

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Looking ahead to next week, she said: “We’re saying it’s getting milder but by no stretch does that mean (temperatures) are going to be above average, it just will feel comparatively much more pleasant than it is at the moment.” 

The UK has experienced a “particularly long cold spell”, she said, adding: “It has been getting progressively colder each night this week, whereas looking at previous years, we’ve had maybe two or three days where things have been particularly cold.”