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.

Thursday's Forecast

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Click here to download the latest PDF Last Updated Wed 18th Mar 26 at 4:15PM
View our detailed version Last Updated Wed 18th Mar 26 at 4:15PM

Viewing Forecast For

West Highlands
Thursday 19th March 2026
Last updated Wed 18th Mar 26 at 4:15PM

Summary for all mountain areas

Dry overall, clear hills and sunny, thin high cloud for Scotland. A zone of cloudier skies and some varied fog from the Borders to northeast Pennines. Warmer further southwards, sunny but hazy views, some early valley fog in Wales & Peak District. Light winds for most places, breezier in south Wales.

Headline for West Highlands

Dry, sunshine, local early fog, cloud patches. Light winds.

How windy? (On the Munros)

Variable 10mph or less morning and middle of day. During afternoon becoming mainly south to southwesterly, increasing a little up to dusk 10-15mph.

Effect of the wind on you?

Negligible.

How Wet?

No precipitation expected during day

Small chance an odd spot from high cloud near Loch Lomond around dawn, otherwise dry.

Cloud on the hills?

Mostly little; scattered banks on high terrain in the south

Patchy fog in sheltered glens at dawn, some cloud fragments may drift upslope early morning, but fog lifts and mostly dissipates. In afternoon, local patches may drift over tops from Loch Lomond to Bridge of Orchy, but many hills clear.

Chance of cloud free Munros?

80% south, to above 90% north/west

Sunshine and air clarity?

Mostly sunny though some high cloud around. A little patchy cloud south. Excellent visibility.

How Cold? (at 900m)

3 to 5C, mildest south, most hills rising to at least 5C, locally to 7C near Clyde sea lochs.

Freezing Level

Pockets of frost some glens and sheltered higher areas from dawn, particularly Lochaber, otherwise above freezing to the tops.

Viewing Forecast For

West Highlands
Friday 20th March 2026
Last updated Wed 18th Mar 26 at 4:15PM

How windy? (On the Munros)

South to southwesterly 15 to 25mph, locally gusty around some western areas, mainly near and west of Loch Linnhe.

Effect of the wind on you?

Fairly small, but locally feeling more noticeable in exposure Ben Nevis to Mull.

How Wet?

Precipitation not expected

Cloud on the hills?

Mostly southern and west coast hills

Patchy fog in glens at first, lifting into patchy cloud on some slopes, may drift over hills Loch Lomond NP for a few hours before then largely dispersing afternoon. Some cloud banks also coastal hills.

Chance of cloud free Munros?

70%

Sunshine and air clarity?

Sunshine fairly widely, though southern and coastal areas cloudier for a time. Visibility very good, some haze lower down, particularly toward south.

How Cold? (at 900m)

Around 5C, some cooler spots at first, then some slightly warmer spots by afternoon.

Freezing Level

Above the summits, but slight frost inland glens and some sheltered higher areas at dawn.

Viewing Forecast For

West Highlands
Saturday 21st March 2026
Last updated Wed 18th Mar 26 at 4:15PM

How windy? (On the Munros)

Southwesterly 10 to 20mph, may vary a little during day, at times gustier, particularly Ben Nevis group.

Effect of the wind on you?

Fairly small, locally may feel more noticeably gusty higher areas in Lochaber.

How Wet?

Local light rain

Mostly west of Loch Linnhe, occasional light rain or drizzle. Largely dry further south and well inland.

Cloud on the hills?

Fairly extensive, varied fog south

Covering many mountains above 700 to 900m in Lochaber to Mull and Glen Etive areas, lowest near coast. Further south more varied with fog lower down in morning, patchy cloud drifting over tops.

Chance of cloud free Munros?

30%

Sunshine and air clarity?

Sun mostly weak through high cloud, becoming cloudier in northwest for a time, some haze.

How Cold? (at 900m)

2 to 4C, may rise slightly higher inland.

Freezing Level

Above the summits, but may be close to freezing on Ben Nevis top for a time. Patchy frost some inland glens at first.

Planning Outlook

High pressure stays nearby toward the weekend, although retreats to allow west-southwesterly winds to move into Scotland, bringing more cloud to the northwest and some drizzle on Saturday, though most places remain dry. By Sunday, stronger westerly winds and a front passing eastwards with a spell of rain followed by lowering temperatures and showers with snow and hail over the hills in Scotland. A chilly start to the new week, near or below freezing over higher mountains, particularly Scotland. Changeable westerlies during next week, windy for all at times, showery conditions most common in western Scotland. High pressure to the south may rebuild to settle things again.