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

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Click here to download the latest PDF Last Updated Wed 23rd Jul 25 at 4:00PM
View our detailed version Last Updated Wed 23rd Jul 25 at 4:00PM

Viewing Forecast For

West Highlands
Thursday 24th July 2025
Last updated Wed 23rd Jul 25 at 4:00PM

Summary for all mountain areas

A ridge of high pressure brings a largely dry day. Areas of cloud across the hills in the morning with local pockets of drizzle, lifting toward then above many higher slopes, sunshine breaking through at times, best in west afternoon. Light winds.

Headline for West Highlands

Cloud gradually lifting, breaking afternoon. Light winds.

How windy? (On the Munros)

Westerly or variable 10mph or less. At dawn, northerly 10-15mph around Islay/Argyll. By evening SW'ly 15mph.

Effect of the wind on you?

Negligible most of day.

How Wet?

Fine drizzle in cloud

Where in cloud, pockets of fine drizzle drifting around and feeling damp, mainly coasts near Mull in morning. Otherwise dry.

Cloud on the hills?

Fog lifts to high slopes, breaking up

Extensive fog early - highest tops well inland may be near the top of the fog layer. Fog will rise to shroud tops with bases between 800-900m, though beginning to break. Breaks increasing forming through afternoon, many summits clearing.

Chance of cloud free Munros?

20%, rising to 70% afternoon-evening.

Sunshine and air clarity?

Often cloudy with a few glimpses of sun, more frequent/extended sunshine later afternoon. Very good visibility below/out of cloud.

How Cold? (at 900m)

9C rising to 10 to 12C, warmest in the central Highlands. Coastal slopes will see little or no rise.

Freezing Level

Above the summits

Viewing Forecast For

West Highlands
Friday 25th July 2025
Last updated Wed 23rd Jul 25 at 4:00PM

How windy? (On the Munros)

Southwesterly 20 to 25mph, may reach 30mph at times highest tops.

Effect of the wind on you?

Starting to affect comfortable walking and balance in places on exposed ridges. Feeling cool on higher terrain.

How Wet?

A little rain, fading

Patchy light rain, most persistent western hills early morning, tending to fade, may leave occasional light showers. By evening, showery rain possibly returns more frequently near Mull.

Cloud on the hills?

Lifting to higher slopes, some breaks

Covering the hills widely from dawn above 600-800m, lowest toward coast. Lifting into middle of day to upper slopes, some breaks forming, best well inland. Cloud likely to come and go above 1000m, at times lower in west.

Chance of cloud free Munros?

10% rising to 40%

Sunshine and air clarity?

A little sun breaking through, mainly inland. Visibility becoming very good below cloud.

How Cold? (at 900m)

7 or 8C, little change all day. Feeling near or just below freezing where exposed to wind on high tops.

Freezing Level

Above the summits

Viewing Forecast For

West Highlands
Saturday 26th July 2025
Last updated Wed 23rd Jul 25 at 4:00PM

How windy? (On the Munros)

Southwesterly 20 to 30mph, strongest over higher tops in Ben Nevis group.

Effect of the wind on you?

Affecting ease of walking on higher terrain, more strenuous with buffeting gusts on exposed tops and ridges. Feeling chilly.

How Wet?

Showery rain

Rain most frequent near and west of Loch Linnhe, likely on and off much of the day, sometimes more persistent. Patchier occasional rain further inland and south, but showery rain more widely afternoon.

Cloud on the hills?

Extensive, lowest coasts

Covering the mountains throughout the day, bases 600-800m, lower at times near coast and islands, some variation inland, occasional breaks above 1000m.

Chance of cloud free Munros?

10%

Sunshine and air clarity?

Largely cloudy, glimpses of sun well inland. Visibility good below cloud, slight haze toward coast.

How Cold? (at 900m)

6 to 9C. Feeling below freezing in the wind, near to -5C higher tops.

Freezing Level

Above the summits

Planning Outlook

A weak front passes eastwards during Friday, giving thicker cloud over the hills and a little rain for a time, improving from the west. Mixed westerly patterns prevail through the weekend into next week, bringing patchy rain and some heavier showers at times pushing eastwards. Breezy and generally rather cool, windy at times particularly Scottish mountains.