As Scotland prepares for its hottest temperatures of 2026 this week, many residents are seeking ways to cool down. Some areas of the country are set to hit 31C in the coming days, a level of heat unusual for Scots accustomed to wet and cold conditions for most of the year.
DIY Air Conditioning: Simple Hack with Water Bottle and Fan
While air conditioning is rarely used in the UK, travel experts have revealed a clever way to beat the heat. Chris Bradshaw, a travel expert at AttractionTickets.com, explained that all you need is a water bottle and a free-standing portable fan.
"Fill your water bottle with ice cold water and - if you have one available to you - pop it in the freezer to make it as cold as possible," Bradshaw said. "Once it's as cold as it can get, position it in front and slightly to the side of your portable fan. The water bottle will cool the air the fan pushes towards you. This is great for overnight as you can put this on your bedside table so you'll feel the cool air directly."
Social media users have tried this trick, with one dubbing it a 'genius' hack.
On-the-Go Version: Damp Scarf and Fan
Bradshaw also revealed an on-the-go version by using a damp scarf instead of a water bottle. "Using that same portable fan on-the-go, you can also create a cooling effect by using a damp scarf. Before you leave the house, soak the lightweight scarf in cold water. Pop this around your neck to keep you cool and drape the longer end over the fan you're holding, without blocking the motor. This is going to create a perfect cooling effect as the air moves through the scarf. The great thing about this is you can simply re-soak the scarf by running it under cold taps throughout the day."
If you prefer not to wear a scarf, you can do the same with ice cold canned drinks. "Whilst this is a little more fiddly and less hands-free, you simply need to hold the can in front of the fan and let the cool air reach you," Bradshaw added.
Other Fast Cooling Solutions
For those without a fan, another quick cooling method is to place ice or cold water on pulse points such as the neck or wrist. This works by cooling the blood flowing through them, which then circulates back to your core and signals your brain's thermostat, located in the hypothalamus, to turn down the heat.
