West Highlands
Western Highlands accessible from, and south of, Glenfinnan (Road to the Isles) and Glen Spean (includes Creag Meagaidh). This area includes Ben Nevis and the mountains around Glencoe. In the east, from Ben Alder south to Loch Lomond and Trossachs NP. Also Arran and Mull.
Today'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.
Patchy rain or drizzle
Rain on and off, or generally drizzly - total amounts small, but may be persistently damp, especially where hills are shrouded in cloud.
Poor visibility
Murky conditions with areas of fog shrouding the hills, making navigation challenging. Map and compass essential.
Cool to mild
Air temperature 8 to 12C 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.
Patchy rain or drizzle
Rain on and off, or generally drizzly - total amounts small, but may be persistently damp, especially where hills are shrouded in cloud.
Poor visibility
Murky conditions with areas of fog shrouding the hills, making navigation challenging. Map and compass essential.
Cool to mild
Air temperature 8 to 12C 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
West Highlands
Friday 8th August 2025
Last updated
Thu 7th Aug 25 at
4:00PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Gale-force winds persist over higher terrain in Scotland. Rain and drizzle throughout the day toward the northwest, low cloud covering western mountains extensively; higher cloud bases eastwards. Cloud banks common on hills near the Irish Sea, clearer with more sun eastwards over England & Wales.
Headline for West Highlands
Upland gales, severe highest tops. Rain mostly morning, low cloud.
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly 40 to 55mph, stronger gusts 60mph+ at times on higher Ben Nevis range. Speeds tending to increase further toward evening into night, 60-70mph on tops.
Effect of the wind on you?
Walking arduous over higher terrain, forward progress difficult on high tops, you may be blown over in strong gusts. Significant wind chill.
How Wet?
Patchy rain and drizzle, fading
Rain on and off, but more persistent and occasionally heavier in Lochaber in morning. Easing to drizzle and in south largely fades out afternoon-evening. Into night, some heavier rain develops.
Cloud on the hills?
High terrain and coastal slopes often shrouded
Fairly extensive above 700m with patches to lower slopes on western coastal slopes and islands. Cloud tending to lift well inland but struggles to clear much higher than 900m, local breaks central highlands afternoon.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
Below 10% coasts, 20% inland.
Sunshine and air clarity?
Patchy sun well inland; little sun expected near the coast. Visibility limited by haze and rain.
How Cold? (at 900m)
7 or 8C, rising to 9C or locally warmer. Mull and coastal Lochaber see little change. Feeling like -3C in the wind.
Freezing Level
Above the summits
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Saturday 9th August 2025
Last updated
Thu 7th Aug 25 at
4:00PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly 40 to 50mph, risk 60mph for periods on higher areas, tending to lessen a little southern areas during afternoon.
Effect of the wind on you?
Challenging walking over exposed higher terrain, balance difficult, gusts could knock you over. Considerable wind chill.
How Wet?
Rain on and off, heavy showers
Showery rain likely throughout the day, some frequent rain, local heavier bursts. A more persistent rain band locally heavy toward south around dawn.
Cloud on the hills?
Extensive, some rise of base
Shrouding the mountains widely in the morning, to lower elevations near to coasts. Cloud base tending to rise as rain eases, some breaks above 800m well inland, but often covering most tops.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
10%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Glimpses of sun may develop afternoon. Hazy, poor visibility in rain.
How Cold? (at 900m)
7C. Feeling like -5 to -8C in wind on tops.
Freezing Level
Above the summits
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Sunday 10th August 2025
Last updated
Thu 7th Aug 25 at
4:00PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Westerly 30mph for a few hours from dawn, easing a little 20-25mph, turning southwesterly; by evening 35-40mph.
Effect of the wind on you?
Blustery and feeling cold early in day, lessening through middle of day, but into evening likely to deteriorate.
How Wet?
Drizzle, rain later
Occasional drizzly showers, mostly coastal hills in the morning, fading. Toward evening, likely more persistent rain moving in from southwest, may be focused from Mull to Knoydart.
Cloud on the hills?
Varied low cloud, some breaks afternoon
Cloud banks fairly persistent in morning, to mid-slopes near coast and islands. Patches lifting to upper slopes inland, breaks forming into the afternoon. Lowering and filling in into the evening from the west.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20% rising to 50% inland afternoon.
Sunshine and air clarity?
A little sun breaking through inland. Misty morning and later around west coast hills, visibility good below cloud.
How Cold? (at 900m)
7C, rising to 10C well inland afternoon and generally staying milder into evening. Feeling below freezing in wind in morning.
Freezing Level
Above the summits
Planning Outlook
A mixed southwesterly weather pattern prevails. Often windy, especially Scotland. Fronts coming in from the Atlantic bringing periods of rain most frequently in west and northwest Scotland. Small amounts of rain reaching eastern Scotland, more often dry. Patchier and less frequent rain for western England and Wales - higher pressure building for periods to give drier and warmer weather here. Low cloud often shrouding western tops, sometimes to lower elevations near coasts, higher cloud bases eastwards with better breaks.