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
Moderate breeze, locally gusty
A noticeable breeze, feeling cool where exposed on tops. Locally may be gusty, but unlikely to affect walking progress. 15-25mph.
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 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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Moderate breeze, locally gusty
A noticeable breeze, feeling cool where exposed on tops. Locally may be gusty, but unlikely to affect walking progress. 15-25mph.
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 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 29th August 2025
Last updated
Thu 28th Aug 25 at
4:30PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Rain frequent or persistent for western Scotland most of the day, some slow-moving heavy bursts, these extending increasingly eastwards over the Highlands. Clusters of showery rain over western England and Wales will drift eastwards during the day on fresh and gusty winds.
Headline for West Highlands
Frequent or persistent rain, showery bursts. Increasing wind.
How windy? (On the Munros)
Variable in the morning 10-15mph, trending westerly as the day goes, rising largely towards 20-30mph, strongest southern coastal areas.
Effect of the wind on you?
Mostly small morning. Comfortable walking becoming be affected in south afternoon. Notable gusts around afternoon thundery showers.
How Wet?
Often raining, risk thunder later
Rain frequent throughout the day, persistently heavy at times; from dawn mostly toward coastal areas, but extending increasingly inland during morning. Into afternoon, downpours forming with local thunder inland.
Cloud on the hills?
Fairly extensive
Extensive from middle slopes up at dawn, cloud banks drifting down lower coastal slopes. Well inland, particularly north, bases rising somewhat with some breaks towards higher terrain, though filling in again during rain.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Little or no sun. Visibility often poor in cloud and rain, though very good during breaks.
How Cold? (at 900m)
8 or 9C.
Freezing Level
Above the summits
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Saturday 30th August 2025
Last updated
Thu 28th Aug 25 at
4:30PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
South-southeasterly 15-25mph first, rising to 50-70mph during afternoon, strongest and soonest near coast toward south.
Effect of the wind on you?
Starting small but deteriorating, walking increasingly difficult, severe conditions later. Wind chill becoming significant.
How Wet?
Widespread persistent rain sets in
Largely dry start inland Lochaber. Patchy rain from dawn into morning along the coast sets in as widespread heavy rain afternoon. Risk of torrential downpours on southern coastal slopes. May break into showery bursts later.
Cloud on the hills?
Increasingly extensive as rain sets in
From dawn, fairly extensive above 700-800m, lowest bases on southern coastal slopes. Lowering further and becoming widely extensive from middle slopes up as rain sets in, patches developing to low slopes.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
10%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Weak glimpses of dawn sun through high cloud, soon overcast. Visibility turning poor as rain sets in.
How Cold? (at 900m)
8 or 9C. May warm slightly in the south. Feeling below freezing in strongest wind, near -5C high tops.
Freezing Level
Above the summits
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Sunday 31st August 2025
Last updated
Thu 28th Aug 25 at
4:30PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southerly, 40 to 50mph, but on higher mountains often 60mph, risk stronger gusts for periods.
Effect of the wind on you?
Arduous walking conditions widely, often difficult mobility on highest terrain, gusts could knock you over.
How Wet?
Frequent rain, showery
Often raining all day possibly most western mountains, but widely showery at least; heavy bursts mixed in, these becoming more extensive inland with time.
Cloud on the hills?
Extensive
Cloud base varying, but extensively shrouding the mountains, above 600-800m near coasts, 800-1000m well inland, some lower patches at times; brief breaks higher up mostly inland if drier at times.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Rare if any brief sun. General haze, poor visibility in rain.
How Cold? (at 900m)
7 or 8C, little change all day. Wind chill feeling like -5C in exposure, nearer -8C highest summits.
Freezing Level
Above the summits
Planning Outlook
An unsettled weekend ahead driven by low pressure to the west/north of Scotland. Brisk westerlies will drive showery rain onto western mountains, at times drifting eastwards. Some local thundery downpours may arise. Saturday in particular will be very windy with widespread risk of gales and heavy rain setting in from the southwest. Sunny periods will arise between weather features, greatest chance in eastern areas later in the weekend and early next week. Next week stays mixed with low pressure in charge, frequent rain or showers continuing. Some improvement later in the week as pressure tends to rise.