Scotland experienced high temperatures

The average temperature over the last 12 months was 8.2C - beating the previous record set in 1997.

The Met Office confirmed that it was the hottest year since its official records began in 1961.

Environmental group WWF Scotland went further and claimed it was the hottest year for at least 140 years - and issued a warning over climate change.

Head of policy Dr Richard Dixon expressed concern at the figures.

"In August we also saw the highest ever individual temperature recorded in Scotland at nearly 33C," he said.

"Including 2003, six of the 10 warmest years since 1961 have been in the last decade.

"Climate change is a growing reality, and is the biggest environmental threat facing Scotland. Yet again, Scotland's weather backs up the scientists' predictions."

He urged the Scottish Executive to commit itself to reducing greenhouse gases by 20% by 2010.

In all the Scottish regions - the north, the east and the west - 2003 was the warmest year we have recorded Met Office spokesman

However, the executive insisted that it was taking the issue seriously.

It said greenhouse gas emissions had fallen and that the UK was on course to meet international commitments.

WWF Scotland said the Met Office's records had previously identified 1997 as the hottest year since 1861.

An average temperature of 8C was recorded that year.

Monthly records showed that five months last year were classified as "exceptionally warm," measuring at least 2C above average.

Warmest year

A variety of weather data exists for Scotland, but the Met Office's official - and most accurate - records only date back 43 years.

A Met Office spokesman said: "Scotland had its warmest year last year since our records began in 1961.

"Temperatures were quite variable across the UK but in all the Scottish regions - the north, the east and the west - 2003 was the warmest year we have recorded."

It was the sunniest year since 1961 in the north and east of the country, and the third sunniest in the west.

Many people took to the water to cool off during the summer

Aboyne on Royal Deesside set the trend last January when it recorded temperatures of 18C.

By July the temperature was hitting 28C somewhere in Scotland every day.

Meanwhile, the Scottish Green Party is calling for tougher action on global warming in the light of a report by an international team of scientists.

The study, published in the journal Nature, warns that climate change could drive a million of the world's species to extinction as soon as 2050.

The scientists say that the Scottish Crossbill, a bird unique to Scotland, would have nowhere to go other than Iceland - and might not be able to make the journey.