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.
Friday'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.
Patchwork of cloud and sun
Dry most or all day. A mix of cloud and sunshine. Occasional cloud banks drifting over higher slopes, lifting above the tops.
Hazy, some fog banks
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Distant views reduced by haze, locally foggy for a time in valleys and some hill slopes.
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.
Bright sunshine
Beware of sunburn from bright spring sunshine, despite feeling cool in any breeze on higher terrain.
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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.
Patchwork of cloud and sun
Dry most or all day. A mix of cloud and sunshine. Occasional cloud banks drifting over higher slopes, lifting above the tops.
Hazy, some fog banks
Distant views reduced by haze, locally foggy for a time in valleys and some hill slopes.
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.
Bright sunshine
Beware of sunburn from bright spring sunshine, despite feeling cool in any breeze on higher terrain.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Friday 20th March 2026
Last updated
Thu 19th Mar 26 at
3:00PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Southwesterly winds over the Highlands will be gusty in places, strongest toward far northwest where locally up to gale-force. Cloud banks near Scottish west coast, otherwise largely clear with strong early spring sunshine, beware sunburn. Early areas of fog clearing. Light winds England and Wales.
Headline for West Highlands
Gusty in places. Sun and patchy cloud.
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, sudden gusts in places affecting balance.
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 Loch Lomond NP for a few hours; high tops likely above fog. Dispersing afternoon. Some cloud banks may linger coastal hills.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
70% south and coasts, to 90% inland.
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)
5 or 6C, small change with added height; some cooler spots at first, then some slightly warmer spots by afternoon. Feeling like 0C if directly in wind.
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
Thu 19th Mar 26 at
3:00PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly 10 to 20mph, at times gustier, particularly Ben Nevis group. Increasing evening-night to 30-45mph.
Effect of the wind on you?
Fairly small during day, 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 N/W, 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?
20% north/west; 40% south.
Sunshine and air clarity?
Sun mostly weak through high cloud, becoming cloudier in northwest for a time, some haze.
How Cold? (at 900m)
3 or 4C, may rise slightly higher inland.
Freezing Level
Above the summits. Patchy frost some inland glens at first.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Sunday 22nd March 2026
Last updated
Thu 19th Mar 26 at
3:00PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwest becoming mostly westerly, 25 to 35mph, stronger gusts for a time around rain, then squally in showers later.
Effect of the wind on you?
Blustery, affecting comfortable walking and balance at times on exposed high terrain. Considerable wind chill.
How Wet?
Rain for a time, then snow flurries
A brief band of rain moving southwards over an hour or so, steady rain mixed with showery moments, turning to snow flurries above 900m. Later in day, local showers with snow flurries to 600m in Lochaber.
Cloud on the hills?
Fairly extensive, then breaking
Covering hills for a few hours at least, lowest around rain in morning, bases 600 to 800m. Then likely to lift and break from north, mostly above 900m, clearing toward higher tops for periods, varied patches.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20% rising to 60% afternoon
Sunshine and air clarity?
Largely cloudy for a few hours, then brighter skies and sunshine breaking through from the northwest. Visibility poor for a time, later very good.
How Cold? (at 900m)
+2 or 3C in morning, dropping during day from north to -1C. Feeling like -8 to -12C directly in wind.
Freezing Level
Above the summits at first, but lowering during morning, to 1000m before noon in Lochaber, 700-800m widely later in day.
Planning Outlook
High pressure slowly retreats over the weekend 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 rebuilds at times to settle things again.