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.)
Sunday'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.
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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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.
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
Sunday 26th July 2026
Last updated
Sat 25th Jul 26 at
4:00PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Spells of rain and showers affect most places during the day, some heavier falls toward eastern Scotland in afternoon. Cloud covering most high terrain, bases rising during day, breaks emerge at times. Blustery winds for England, Wales and southern Scotland, more moderate speeds for the Highlands.
Headline for The Northwest Highlands
Rain, showers, low cloud; improving from north, Moderate breeze.
How windy? (On the Munros)
North-northwesterly 15 to 25mph, at times 30mph around Ben Hope.
Effect of the wind on you?
Fairly small, some more breezier slopes in exposure, blustery toward far north. Feeling cool on tops.
How Wet?
Often raining, then becoming drier from north
Rain onto west coast hills through the day, clusters regularly push east with showery outbreaks more widely afternoon, some heavy bursts, notably Ben Wyvis/Easter Ross. An easing tendency, becoming drier from the north during afternoon, earliest near Ben Hope.
Cloud on the hills?
Varied, high tops rarely clear, breaks form north afternoon
Fairly extensive early, bases to 500-700m lowest west, or lower along the coast. A lifting trend, some breaks forming, but bases return to 700-800m during showers, or lower if heavier showers occur in the east. A breaking trend from north through afternoon, clearing to some upper slopes.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20% rising to 50% from north afternoon.
Sunshine and air clarity?
Glimpses of sun break out later, soonest in Sutherland. Varied visibility, often poor but very good where out of cloud/rain.
How Cold? (at 900m)
7C, rising up to 9C southern inland areas. Little or no rise northern coastal hills. Feeling close to freezing on high tops in the wind.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Monday 27th July 2026
Last updated
Sat 25th Jul 26 at
4:00PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
West-southwesterly 20-30mph, somewhat variable and some higher speeds may occur over tops, though uncertain.
Effect of the wind on you?
Ease of walking impacted in exposure, may become more strenuous.
How Wet?
Drizzly rain
Patchy rain drifts from the west most of the day, drier windows, but also often drizzly on high western terrain in cloud. A rising risk of steadier falls towards southern areas as the day goes.
Cloud on the hills?
Becoming fairly extensive
Varied cloud above 700-800m in the morning, best of breaks near and north of Ben Wyvis. Cloud fills in from the southwest, terrain above 700m likely widely shrouded by later afternoon, with lower banks coming and going. A few odd breaks here and there.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
50% lowering to 20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Bursts of sun through morning, very good visibility; increasingly overcast from southwest, dull along the coast with visibility deteriorating.
How Cold? (at 900m)
6 or 7C rising to 9 or 10C. Feeling near freezing in strongest wind.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Viewing Forecast For
The Northwest Highlands
Tuesday 28th July 2026
Last updated
Sat 25th Jul 26 at
4:00PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly 35 to 50mph, gusts 60mph likely strongest Skye and areas near Kintail, but perhaps more widely later.
Effect of the wind on you?
Challenging walking conditions, balance difficult on exposed ridges, gusts could knock you over. Considerable wind chill.
How Wet?
Frequent or persistent rain, some heavy
Rain or drizzle much of the day particularly on western mountains, some more prolonged heavier falls. Occasionally easing off with some drier breaks in east.
Cloud on the hills?
Extensive
Blanket low cloud across the mountains, shrouding west coastal areas from lower elevations upward for periods. Some higher bases above 700m inland and east.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
10%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Generally overcast and dull, poor visibility much of day west and widely in rain, some improvements at times in east.
How Cold? (at 900m)
8 to 10C, coolest on coastal tops, little variation all day. Feeling below freezing directly in wind.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Planning Outlook
West-southwesterly winds will bring rain to most places early in the new week, some more prolonged heavier falls for western Scotland by Tuesday, accompanied by gales over high terrain, severe on Scottish tops, but rather humid for all, warm for England and Wales. Cooler air toward northwest Scotland moves across all of Scotland by Wednesday. Showery rain through mid-late week, some heavy and possibly thundery bursts, mainly Scotland. Likely drier for Wales and southern Pennines. More uncertainty toward next weekend and early the following week, but a risk of a broad zone of low pressure bringing areas of rain and heavy showers through early August.