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.
Sunshine and showers
A good amount of dry and bright weather, but scattered bursts of rain, some may be locally heavy.
Hazy
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Hazy views with lack of air clarity giving only weak views of distant mountains, but little if any affect on nearby navigation
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.
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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.
Sunshine and showers
A good amount of dry and bright weather, but scattered bursts of rain, some may be locally heavy.
Hazy
Hazy views with lack of air clarity giving only weak views of distant mountains, but little if any affect on nearby navigation
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.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Thursday 7th August 2025
Last updated
Wed 6th Aug 25 at
4:00PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Gale-force winds across higher mountains in Scotland all day; windy on tops for England and Wales, strongest in morning. Early rain clears southeastwards, leaving scattered showery rain but many places often dry. Cloud bases generally rising, though often covering west coastal mountains in Scotland.
Headline for West Highlands
Gales higher terrain. Showery rain, lowest cloud coasts.
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly 35 to 55mph; strongest on higher tops in Ben Nevis group.
Effect of the wind on you?
Increasingly difficult walking with height; general mobility strenuous where exposed. Significant wind chill.
How Wet?
Occasional showery rain
Pulses of showery rain, most frequent Lochaber. Some dry periods, particularly Arran and Loch Lomond NP.
Cloud on the hills?
Persistent on higher/coastal slopes
Cloud base varying; lowest in rain and overall a rise in the base progressively inland: Typically between 600 and 800m near the coast, whilst well inland and on Arran most cloud above 750m with breaks to 900 or 1000m.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Sunshine rarely, mainly well inland, although sun in and out more often Arran and eastern Loch Lomond NP. Rather hazy.
How Cold? (at 900m)
7C. Will feel as cold as -6C directly in the wind.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Friday 8th August 2025
Last updated
Wed 6th Aug 25 at
4:00PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly 40-55mph+ over high tops, some stronger winds over higher Ben Nevis range.
Effect of the wind on you?
Forward progress increasingly difficult; you may well be blown over in strong gusts. Significant wind chill.
How Wet?
Patchy rain, increasing somewhat later
Rain on and off most of the day. Becoming more frequent late in the day with heavier bursts particularly from dusk into night.
Cloud on the hills?
High terrain and coastal slopes often shrouded
Fairly extensive above 700m with patches to lower slopes, lowest on western coastal slopes and islands. Cloud tending to lift well inland but struggles to clear much higher than 900m.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Patchy sun well inland; little sun expected near the coast. Visibility limited by haze and rain.
How Cold? (at 900m)
7 or 8C, rising to 9C or locally warmer. Mull and coastal Lochaber see little change. Feeling like -3C in the wind.
Freezing Level
Above the summits
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Saturday 9th August 2025
Last updated
Wed 6th Aug 25 at
4:00PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly 40 to 50mph, risk 60mph for periods on higher areas, tending to lessen a little during afternoon.
Effect of the wind on you?
Challenging walking over exposed higher terrain, balance difficult, gusts could knock you over. Considerable wind chill.
How Wet?
Rain frequent, heavy for a time
Rain persistent from dawn into the morning, heavy falls may last an hour or more. Tending to ease, but showery rain likely on and off the rest of the day.
Cloud on the hills?
Extensive, some rise of base
Shrouding the mountains widely in the morning, to lower elevations near to coasts. Cloud base tending to rise as rain eases, some breaks above 800m well inland, but often covering most tops.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
10%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Glimpses of sun may develop afternoon. Hazy, poor visibility in rain.
How Cold? (at 900m)
7C. Feeling like -5 to -8C in wind on tops.
Freezing Level
Above the summits
Planning Outlook
A mixed southwesterly weather pattern prevails. Often windy, especially Scotland. Fronts coming in from the Atlantic bringing periods of rain most frequently in west and northwest Scotland - wettest here around Friday night into early Saturday. Small amounts of rain reaching eastern Scotland, more often dry. Patchier and less frequent rain for western England and Wales - higher pressure building for periods to give drier and warmer weather here. Low cloud often shrouding western tops, sometimes to lower elevations near coasts, higher cloud bases eastwards with better breaks.