The Northwest Highlands
Areas north from Knoydart in the west, and the Great Glen towards the east (NB. Does not include Mull and areas west of Loch Linnhe, these are found in the West Highlands forecast.)
Friday's Forecast
Gale force, walking arduous
Considerable buffeting, walking into the wind will be strenuous on exposed terrain, stronger gusts may knock you off your feet. 40 to 55mph.
Frequent or persistent rain
Steady rain fairly persistent, occasionally heavy, rather wet underfoot.
Poor visibility
Murky conditions with areas of fog shrouding the hills, making navigation challenging. Map and compass essential.
Cool to mild
Air temperature 5 to 10C on higher terrain. Comfortable temperatures on lower terrain, but feeling chilly if exposed to wind higher up, especially if stationary. Pack extra layers.
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Gale force, walking arduous
Considerable buffeting, walking into the wind will be strenuous on exposed terrain, stronger gusts may knock you off your feet. 40 to 55mph.
Frequent or persistent rain
Steady rain fairly persistent, occasionally heavy, rather wet underfoot.
Poor visibility
Murky conditions with areas of fog shrouding the hills, making navigation challenging. Map and compass essential.
Cool to mild
Air temperature 5 to 10C on higher terrain. Comfortable temperatures on lower terrain, but feeling chilly if exposed to wind higher up, especially if stationary. Pack extra layers.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Friday 7th August 2026
Last updated
Thu 6th Aug 26 at
4:17PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Rain in the Scottish Highlands, persistent central/west areas; windy too, gales developing over summits. Some early rain in England, cloud covering high terrain, improving for frequent sun and minimal hill cloud. Light wind and mostly sunny Wales, just some early cloud and dampness high Snowdonia terrain.
Headline for The Northwest Highlands
Persistent rain and gales
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly 35-45mph at dawn, strongest north and strengthening, 45-50mph widely, variably higher speeds over high tops later, approaching 60mph.
Effect of the wind on you?
Strenuous walking from dawn, deteriorating to difficult conditions with significant wind chill; you will struggle to remain on your feet on exposed tops.
How Wet?
Persistent rain
Persistent rain along the west coast most or all day, heavy falls come and go. Best chance of lighter falls with brief breaks to the east, but some broader areas of rain will reach here as well. Becoming quite wet underfoot.
Cloud on the hills?
Extensive
West coast hills shrouded to at least middle slopes all day, banks forming to low slopes with patches to forest canopies during heavy rain. Well-inland, a slight rise in cloud base, particularly during breaks in rain, but unlikely anywhere above 700-800m.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
10%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Overcast and largely dull. Poor visibility in cloud and rain, haze building along the west coast.
How Cold? (at 900m)
6 or 7C, rising slightly, locally up to 9C mostly likely around Ben Wyvis/Easter Ross; becoming humid too. Feeling like -5C or colder in strongest wind.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Saturday 8th August 2026
Last updated
Thu 6th Aug 26 at
4:17PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly 50-65mph, stronger gusts over high tops.
Effect of the wind on you?
Difficult conditions widely with significant wind chill; you will struggle to remain upright in exposure.
How Wet?
Constant rain west, spreading widely
Frequent or persistent falls along western Munros most or all day, heavy falls common, likely spreading widely afternoon; rain rarely ceases Skye and nearby; very wet underfoot.
Cloud on the hills?
Extensive
Western Munros shrouded all day above 400-500m, often lower during heavy rain, patches to forest canopies; persistently low Skye. A few breaks eastward to 800m or higher out of rain, but filling in as rain spreads more widely.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
10%
Sunshine and air clarity?
A few early bright glimpses, becoming overcast and dull with poor visibility.
How Cold? (at 900m)
7 or 8C, rising a degree, feeling humid. Feeling like -5 to -8C in direct wind.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Sunday 9th August 2026
Last updated
Thu 6th Aug 26 at
4:17PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
West-southwesterly 30-40mph, strongest in the north, some variability and also gusty around showers; may lessen somewhat.
Effect of the wind on you?
Strenuous-to-arduous walking with notable wind chill and buffeting gusts, particularly northern hills.
How Wet?
Showers, some extended falls
Showers drifting from the west most or all day, some extended falls come and go with heavy bursts.
Cloud on the hills?
Lifting towards summits, varied around showers
May be fairly extensive over high terrain at dawn, but a lifting trend, most cloud rising towards 800-900m with breaks above tops away from showers, best south and east. Where showers occur, bases lower, locally to middle western slopes.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
Rising to 50%
Sunshine and air clarity?
A patchwork of cloud and sun. Varied visibility, often good but suddenly deteriorating during showers.
How Cold? (at 900m)
6 or 7C. Feeling near or below freezing in direct wind.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Planning Outlook
Westerly winds prevail into the weekend: Saturday will see extensive cloud and heavy rain develop across Scotland with gales; bands of rain passing to the south and east into England and Wales through Sunday with showers in Scotland. A ridge of high pressure early next week brings warmer temperatures and clearer hills, though western areas likely remain fairly cloudy with some drizzle on the high tops. Westerly flow returns through mid-week and a series of low pressure systems will pass west-to-east across the country with periods of strong wind (sometimes gales), rain, and low cloud, western hill groups always most affected. Mild-to-warm temperatures and sometimes quite humid. Changeable conditions persist into next weekend.