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.
Wednesday's Forecast
Windy, walking impeded
Blustery conditions enough to give buffeting on higher terrain or affect balance on exposed ridges. 25 to 40mph.
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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Windy, walking impeded
Blustery conditions enough to give buffeting on higher terrain or affect balance on exposed ridges. 25 to 40mph.
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
West Highlands
Wednesday 29th July 2026
Last updated
Tue 28th Jul 26 at
4:15PM
Summary for all mountain areas
A swathe of frequent to persistent rain through central & southern Scotland, some heavier bursts with possible thunder and lightning afternoon. Patchier showers in northwest, rather cool here. Warmer and humid southwards, low cloud covering many western hills, some drizzle near Irish Sea.
Headline for West Highlands
Windy. Areas of rain, some heavy bursts.
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly 35-40mph from dawn with briefly stronger gusts, easing to 25-30mph during morning, staying nearer 30mph for longer in southern areas into afternoon, nearer 20mph Lochaber later in day.
Effect of the wind on you?
Blustery across the hills, considerable buffeting at first lessening, but likely to affect balance in exposure all day. Notable wind chill on high terrain.
How Wet?
Frequent or persistent rain, some heavy particularly south in afternoon
Rain on and off much of the day, a mix of drizzle and some heavier bursts, setting in for a few hours locally, likely focused on more southern areas for a few hours from early afternoon Loch Lomond NP, risk of thunder. Some places escaping drier for periods, best chance inland Lochaber.
Cloud on the hills?
Fairly extensive, local breaks northeast from Ben Nevis
Shrouding most high terrain all day, lowest bases on south-facing slopes toward coasts, to some mid-elevations, ragged patches to forest canopies in heavy rain Loch Lomond area. Breaks above 1000m inland Lochaber, best north during afternoon.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Largely cloudy. Visibility poor around rain, improving below cloud inland and north if dry.
How Cold? (at 900m)
8 or 9C, mostly little change, locally inland Loch Lomond NP briefly 11C afternoon. Feeling like 0C in the wind, colder on high tops early in day.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Thursday 30th July 2026
Last updated
Tue 28th Jul 26 at
4:15PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwest then westerly, strengthening during morning to 30-40mph, gusts 50mph for a time at least in south, risk widely.
Effect of the wind on you?
Soon deteriorating to make walking challenging, buffeting gusts. Increasingly significant wind chill.
How Wet?
Bursts of rain locally set in for a time
Broadly showery, but some more frequent heavy bursts, a cluster of heavy rain moving east over a few hours, most likely in Lochaber. Risk of thunder and lightning. Fading later in day to scattered showers.
Cloud on the hills?
Fairly extensive, some breaks
Covering much high terrain in the morning, varying banks lifting to upper slopes with some breaks forming particularly inland, but lowering patches around showers.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
40%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Mostly cloudy, some moments of sun breaking through. Visibility very good when dry, but reduced in showers.
How Cold? (at 900m)
6C, lowering to 4 or 5C later in daytime. Feeling like -5C in exposure to stronger winds on high tops.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Friday 31st July 2026
Last updated
Tue 28th Jul 26 at
4:15PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly 25 to 30mph, risk occasionally 40mph, gusty in showers.
Effect of the wind on you?
Affecting ease of walking on high terrain, gusts challenging balance on ridges at times. Marked wind chill.
How Wet?
Showery, chance of lightning
Showers mostly near coast early in day, but developing increasingly widely, some heavy bursts forming, mainly inland into afternoon. Risk isolated thunder.
Cloud on the hills?
Often covering higher slopes
Fairly widespread above 600 to 800m early in day, lowest near coast, tending to lift to 900m with breaks higher up at times. Lower ragged patches during/after rain.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Brief sun breaking through. Visibility very good below cloud, but reduced in showers.
How Cold? (at 900m)
5 or 6C, slight rise afternoon. Feeling nearer -5C in the wind on tops.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Planning Outlook
Cool and showery westerlies late this week and into Saturday, windy over high terrain; western hills often capped in cloud. Rain may encroach from the southwest on Sunday, winds turn southerly and warmer air wafts back across England and Wales at least. A complex area of low pressure is then expected to circulate slowly over Britain early next week, bringing areas of rain and heavy showers, some thundery downpours possible. Winds varying, may strengthen northwesterly by Tuesday to gales. An improving trend into midweek, but showery westerlies likely prevail in Scotland at least. Despite spells of rain, beware ongoing fire management restricting access to some mountains.