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
Windy, walking impeded
Blustery conditions enough to give buffeting on higher terrain or affect balance on exposed ridges. 25 to 40mph.
Sunshine and showers
A good amount of dry and bright weather, but scattered bursts of rain, some may be locally heavy.
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.
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Windy, walking impeded
Blustery conditions enough to give buffeting on higher terrain or affect balance on exposed ridges. 25 to 40mph.
Sunshine and showers
A good amount of dry and bright weather, but scattered bursts of rain, some may be locally heavy.
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.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Friday 25th September 2026
Last updated
Thu 24th Sep 26 at
4:28PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Windy in Scotland, showers west, only scattered eastward where often sunny; wind lessens for a time afternoon. Patchy rain England and Wales, tending to break up in north England later. Rain and cloud linger in Wales and south Pennines but rainfall totals small; mild-to-warm, little wind in Wales.
Headline for West Highlands
Scattered showers, patchy sun; cool, windy in exposure
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly 25 to 40mph, at times gusts 50mph around high Ben Nevis group and north Lochaber. Will lessen somewhat afternoon, then restrengthen into evening.
Effect of the wind on you?
Strenuous walking, more frequent buffeting north tops, moderating a little in south; considerable wind chill.
How Wet?
Showers
Rain most frequent on coastal mountains and islands from Jura to Mull; likely to come and go over many western hills, some heavier showers afternoon. Showers more scattered well-inland.
Cloud on the hills?
Varied, high tops often covered, but a few high breaks
Often in cloud above 700 to 900m west coastal mountains and islands, but more often above 900-1000m well inland with some breaks higher up, best north of Rannoch Moor to Creag Meagaidh.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30%, to 50% northeast Lochaber
Sunshine and air clarity?
A patchwork of cloud and sun, more often sunny inland and on lower slopes; some high cloud around in the morning. Fairly hazy coastal areas and reduced in rain, but better visibility where dry inland.
How Cold? (at 900m)
6C, little change all day. Feeling like -3 to -6C in the wind.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Saturday 26th September 2026
Last updated
Thu 24th Sep 26 at
4:28PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly 30 to 50mph, sustained speeds tending to rise, typically strongest from Ben Nevis group out to Mull.
Effect of the wind on you?
Strenuous-to-arduous walking conditions, buffeting gusts knocking you off balance on exposed terrain; considerable wind chill.
How Wet?
Rain on and off
Showery rain most common toward coastal mountains, sometimes may give steadier rain locally, but mostly light occasional rain for areas well inland.
Cloud on the hills?
Often capping higher tops
Likely to come and go above 800m toward coast & sea lochs, at times lower patches. Mostly above 900-1000m inland, but often covering higher slopes, and perhaps more broadly over high terrain for a few hours.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Glimpses of sun mostly well inland. Visibility very good where dry and out of cloud, hazier near coasts, reduced in rain.
How Cold? (at 900m)
6 or 7C, rising to 8C afternoon. Feeling like -5 to -8C in the wind.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Sunday 27th September 2026
Last updated
Thu 24th Sep 26 at
4:28PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southerly 40-50mph, powerful gusts to 55mph near coast. Will lessen later, shift southwesterly, 20-30mph.
Effect of the wind on you?
Challenging conditions well into the day with significant wind chill. Effects will lessen later but remaining variable.
How Wet?
Rain becomes persistent and heavy
Patchy rain around early, generally damp near and south of Mull, rain becoming frequent and setting in for several afternoon hours, a swathe of torrential rain possible. Breaking up somewhat later.
Cloud on the hills?
Banks on high terrain, more extensive afternoon
Cloud often covering high tops, some varied breaks but also broader banks lowering towards 900-1000m. A band of low cloud sweeps in from the west, bases as low as 400-500m west coast briefly, tending to break up again.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
50%, to 20% for several hours
Sunshine and air clarity?
Patchy sun, very good visibility morning, trending cloudier afternoon with a period of poor visibility.
How Cold? (at 900m)
7 or 8C, later lowering to 5C. Feeling below 0C in direct wind.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Planning Outlook
South to southwesterly winds prevail onward into the weekend and next week. Saturday will be bright for many, windy in Scotland with some showers in the west. Mild-to-warm temperatures, but a chilly feeling north in wind. A band of rain sweeps eastward more broadly on Sunday; rain could be very heavy for a few afternoon hours. A window of higher pressure is indicated for Monday with warmer, brighter conditions for many, but northwest Scotland starts breezy with cloud and some light rain. Into mid-next week, risk of a more widespread gale, or severe gale over higher mountains. Detail of timing is uncertain, but several bands of rain punctuated by showers and bright spells will likely cross most mountain areas. Unseasonably warm temperatures. The weather stays mixed into early October.