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
Windy, walking impeded
Blustery conditions enough to give buffeting on higher terrain or affect balance on exposed ridges. 25 to 40mph.
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 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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Windy, walking impeded
Blustery conditions enough to give buffeting on higher terrain or affect balance on exposed ridges. 25 to 40mph.
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 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
West Highlands
Friday 10th October 2025
Last updated
Thu 9th Oct 25 at
4:13PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Drizzly and cloudy in west Scotland, dry with well broken cloud to the east; strong gusty winds central and northern Scotland. Morning low cloud fairly extensive across England, largely clearing the Pennines - Lakeland fells will struggle to clear. A foggy start in Wales with drizzle on west slopes; breaks to many tops forming.
Headline for West Highlands
Blustery and often drizzly near the coast; higher cloud inland
How windy? (On the Munros)
Westerly 25 to 35mph, very gusty over high terrain, particularly early in the day. Strongest around Ben Nevis range, risk gusts of 50mph over high ground. May ease a little around the southern islands late in the day.
Effect of the wind on you?
Affecting comfortable walking, more strenuous on high terrain with buffeting gusts over ridges and passes, locally downslope. Marked wind chill.
How Wet?
Largely dry, possible damp start
Drizzly over the high tops through the morning, local patchy drizzle more broadly on slopes near the west coast. Fading with time.
Cloud on the hills?
Fairly extensive, lowest coasts
Cloud banks fairly persistent above 500-700m, lowest on coastal slopes. Some breaks forming higher with time well inland, though variably lowering. Highest summits may emerge near or just above top of the cloud layer.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Glimpses of sun mostly well inland east of higher terrain; perhaps bright or even some sun on highest tops also if out of the cloud layer. Visibility limited by cloud and some haze on lower slopes; if high tops are above cloud, visibility will be excellent here.
How Cold? (at 900m)
5 or 6C, little change with added height to higher summits. Feeling like -5C in the wind, locally cooler in gusts.
Freezing Level
Above the summits
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Saturday 11th October 2025
Last updated
Thu 9th Oct 25 at
4:13PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Westerly 10 to 20mph, lightest winds south. Gusty 25mph in places Ben Nevis range, not just on highest terrain.
Effect of the wind on you?
Fairly small most places, but sudden gusts may start to affect balance in a few locations around higher mountains.
How Wet?
Rain very unlikely most places
Possibly an odd pocket of drizzle mainly west of Loch Linnhe.
Cloud on the hills?
Covering much higher terrain all day
Cloud fairly extensive on the mountains above 600-800m; lowest near coast, local inland fog banks lower down from dawn. Highest tops near top of cloud layer. Base rising gradually, some breaks forming mostly inland afternoon.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Mostly cloudy, brief glimpses of sun. Visibility good below cloud.
How Cold? (at 900m)
6 to 8C; a slight rise in temperature with height.
Freezing Level
Above the summits
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Sunday 12th October 2025
Last updated
Thu 9th Oct 25 at
4:13PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Variable 10mph or less. Some local gustiness.
Effect of the wind on you?
Negligible.
How Wet?
Rain unlikely
Cloud on the hills?
High tops above a cloud layer
Fog in the glens and corries from dawn with patchy banks up to middle slopes. Cloud tops near 900-1000m, lowest tops in the south. Tending to lift and breaks into patchy cloud between 800-1100m, a broader sheet of cloud near the coast.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
50%, though 70% for highest tops (above a cloud layer)
Sunshine and air clarity?
Often cloudy, though some sunny breaks here and there. Excellent visibility above cloud, some lower haze.
How Cold? (at 900m)
8 or 9C. May warm towards 11C Clyde Sea Lochs and nearby islands. Increasing temperature with height.
Freezing Level
Above the summits
Planning Outlook
Westerly winds with some drizzle over high ground prevails in northern Scotland into Saturday, then high pressure establishes over the British Isles bringing light winds and dry weather conditions well into next week. Scope for inversion conditions this weekend and early next week with some valley fog and varied low cloud. Into the week, mixed cloud and sun with occasional longer spells of cloud or sunshine. Easterly winds are expected to increase with time for England and Wales, particularly in the south where there could be notable gusts over high terrain. Pleasant daytime temperatures, some cooler nights with slight frost where skies are clear.