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
Gale force, walking arduous
Considerable buffeting, walking into the wind will be strenuous on exposed terrain, stronger gusts may knock you off your feet. 40 to 55mph.
Heavy rain
Near-constant heavy rain, sometimes torrential over the mountains, very 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.
Flooding
Fast-flowing rivers and streams. Some routes may be impassable due to flooding.
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Gale force, walking arduous
Considerable buffeting, walking into the wind will be strenuous on exposed terrain, stronger gusts may knock you off your feet. 40 to 55mph.
Heavy rain
Near-constant heavy rain, sometimes torrential over the mountains, very 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.
Flooding
Fast-flowing rivers and streams. Some routes may be impassable due to flooding.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Friday 4th July 2025
Last updated
Thu 3rd Jul 25 at
4:27PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Gales and rain setting in across Scotland. Rain will be persistent and heavy in the west - beware risk of local flooding. Clear fells for a time in England, rain and cloud setting in later afternoon. The Pennines from Yorkshire Dales southward mostly dry and free of cloud. A fair but windy day in Wales, rain only arriving later in north Wales.
Headline for West Highlands
Gale force wind and persistent rain; risk of flooding western areas
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly 45 to 55mph, risk winds up to 60mph over coastal tops early. Peak speeds easing somewhat Mull and northward later in the day.
Effect of the wind on you?
Difficult conditions over the mountains, mobility challenging and gusts could knock you off your feet. Significant wind chill.
How Wet?
Rain most of day, often heavy; risk local flooding Lochaber and nearby
Persistent rain soon widespread, sustained heavy falls many western areas, but particularly Lochaber to Mull. Smallest amounts furthest inland, but still often raining. Becoming very wet underfoot; fast-flowing streams may become impassable with localised flooding.
Cloud on the hills?
Extensive
At dawn, patchy cloud shrouds most high terrain above 800m, lower bases towards the coast. Soon filling in and shrouding the mountains from mid to lower slopes upward near the coast and sea lochs, but fairly extensive above 700m even well inland.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
10%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Soon overcast and dull. Visibility poor due to rain.
How Cold? (at 900m)
7 or 8C in the morning, rising to 9C. Feeling near -5C in the wind.
Freezing Level
Above the summits
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Saturday 5th July 2025
Last updated
Thu 3rd Jul 25 at
4:27PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
West to southwesterly 25 to 30mph, up to 35mph in southern areas early.
Effect of the wind on you?
Blustery over the mountains, affecting ease of walking on exposed ridges, notably early; feeling cool.
How Wet?
Frequent showery rain
Rain on and off much of the day, at times more persistent rain. Often drizzly on coastal and high hills. Some heavier showery bursts, mainly inland afternoon.
Cloud on the hills?
Fairly extensive
Covering the mountains all day, cloud base varying in and out of rain, typically 700 to 900m, at times 500-600m.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
10%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Any sunshine unlikely. Visibility at times very good, but poor during rain.
How Cold? (at 900m)
7 or 8C, little variation all day. Feeling below freezing directly in the wind.
Freezing Level
Above the summits
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Sunday 6th July 2025
Last updated
Thu 3rd Jul 25 at
4:27PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Northwesterly 20-25mph. Increasing from Mull southward along the coast later, up to 40mph, less increase inland.
Effect of the wind on you?
Fairly small, though becoming strenuous later in the day with buffeting gusts near the coast; feeling cool.
How Wet?
Morning showery rain, improving
Morning showery rain most areas, heavy bursts possible towards central highlands. Fading, though drizzly showers continue Mull northward.
Cloud on the hills?
Fairly extensive, some improvement
Blanket cloud over high terrain through morning, bases down to low coastal slopes Mull and northward. Becoming patchy from the west afternoon, possibly fleeting clear moments to tops.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
10%, becoming 40%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Little sun through morning, glimpses increasingly present later in the day. Poor visibility at first, then good out of cloud.
How Cold? (at 900m)
7 to 8C in the morning, warmest central and southern highlands. Lowering to 6 to 7C. Feeling at or below freezing in wind.
Freezing Level
Above the summits
Planning Outlook
The weekend ahead will be generally unsettled: windy and feeling cool with low pressure bringing heavy showery rain widely. High pressure to the southwest will extend to the Isles early next week, settling the weather and allowing sun to break through Monday and Tuesday. Into the week, a mixed westerly regime dominates with greatest risk of rain toward northwest Scotland, drier and warmer further south and east. Several fronts will drift towards Britain from the northwest but high pressure to the southwest will prevent extended unsettled periods. England and Wales may only see occasional rain.