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.
Saturday'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.
Frequent or persistent rain
Steady rain fairly persistent, occasionally heavy, rather wet underfoot.
Hazy, some fog banks
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Distant views reduced by haze, locally foggy for a time in valleys and some hill slopes.
Chilly
Air temperature typically 0 to 5C on higher summits. Feeling distinctly chilly on tops when stationary or where exposed to wind. Take appropriate layers.
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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.
Frequent or persistent rain
Steady rain fairly persistent, occasionally heavy, rather wet underfoot.
Hazy, some fog banks
Distant views reduced by haze, locally foggy for a time in valleys and some hill slopes.
Chilly
Air temperature typically 0 to 5C on higher summits. Feeling distinctly chilly on tops when stationary or where exposed to wind. Take appropriate layers.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Saturday 19th September 2026
Last updated
Fri 18th Sep 26 at
4:00PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Challenging conditions over high terrain with gale-force winds extensive; feeling notably cold in exposure. Showery rain, most frequent western Scotland. Persistent rain for Wales tends to clear southward and the strongest winds will lessen here.
Headline for West Highlands
Gales on mountains all day; often raining, heavier bursts.
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly 40 to 50mph, at times 60mph around higher summits, powerful squally gusts around showers.
Effect of the wind on you?
Arduous walking conditions, balance frequently challenged on high exposed terrain, gusts may knock you over. Significant wind chill.
How Wet?
Frequent rain
Showery all day, rain rarely fully ceasing for long, a mix of drizzle and some heavier bursts, more often in Lochaber, possible hail; less heavy showers typical toward south with some drier windows more often further inland.
Cloud on the hills?
Extensive higher areas
Often covering mountains above 700-900m, some lower patches near coast and islands. Brief breaks higher up inland and base lifting a little during daytime.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Brief glimpses of sun, more often inland. Hazy, particularly coasts, widely poor visibility in rain, better at times inland, good where dry.
How Cold? (at 900m)
5 or 6C, trending slightly cooler later in the daytime. Feeling like -5 to -8C in the wind.
Freezing Level
Above the summits. Only a couple of degrees above freezing on high summits in Ben Nevis group; dipping nearer to freezing into night.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Sunday 20th September 2026
Last updated
Fri 18th Sep 26 at
4:00PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Westerly 50mph early morning, tending to lessen gradually to 30-40mph through middle of day, 25mph later.
Effect of the wind on you?
Challenging conditions, significant wind chill, improving gradually but still blustery, affecting balance on exposed tops.
How Wet?
Rain on and off mostly morning
Light showery rain most common near coast particularly near/west of Loch Linnhe in the morning, odd showers move inland. Tending to fade to become more often dry. Rain returns from west into night.
Cloud on the hills?
Lifting higher with some breaks
Banks of cloud above 700-900m in the morning, most common on hills toward west of Lochaber to Mull. Tending to rise and break higher with time, but some patches likely come and go above 1000m.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
40%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Fairly cloudy, some sun breaking through; thin high cloud may move in later. Some coastal haze, otherwise visibility very good.
How Cold? (at 900m)
4 or 5C, little change all day, then tending to rise onward into night. Feeling like -3 to -7C directly in wind.
Freezing Level
Close to freezing on Ben Nevis summit in the morning, later rising well above tops.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Monday 21st September 2026
Last updated
Fri 18th Sep 26 at
4:00PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
West to southwesterly 35 to 45mph, very gusty in places, the strongest gusts not confined to highest summits.
Effect of the wind on you?
Very blustery, affecting ease of walking and knocking you off balance, sudden buffeting gusts in some passes and downslope.
How Wet?
Drizzle and light rain
Some steady rain around dawn fades, but likely leaves patchy light rain and fairly widespread drizzle over the hills, some drier moments well inland.
Cloud on the hills?
Extensive, very low coasts
Blanket cloud across the hills, foggy from lower elevations upward near coast and sea lochs likely all day. Some breaks may emerge at varied levels well inland Lochaber, but rarely clearing any summits.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
10%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Sun unlikely, misty poor visibility widely, hazy even below cloud.
How Cold? (at 900m)
10 to 12C, small change with added height and little change into night; quite humid, but still feeling near 0C if directly in wind.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Planning Outlook
Improving on Sunday as gale-force winds on Scottish mountains gradually lessen and showers become fewer. Warm and humid into early next week, on Monday extensive low cloud and drizzly rain particularly in the west. High pressure to the south will generally dominate the extended outlook particularly for England & Wales with more often drier and warmer conditions through late September into early October. Fine weather likely extends across Scotland for periods too, but a more changeable autumnal mix may continue especially further northwest with rain and stronger winds at times.