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.
Thursday'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.
Dry, Inversion
Banks of cloud or fog on lower or middle slopes, but higher terrain likely clear and sunny above an inversion.
Warm
Comfortable temperatures on the hills, 10 to 15C on tops, feeling pleasantly warm especially on lower ground. Beware of feeling cooler if exposed to wind 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.
Dry, Inversion
Banks of cloud or fog on lower or middle slopes, but higher terrain likely clear and sunny above an inversion.
Warm
Comfortable temperatures on the hills, 10 to 15C on tops, feeling pleasantly warm especially on lower ground. Beware of feeling cooler if exposed to wind on higher terrain.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Thursday 9th July 2026
Last updated
Wed 8th Jul 26 at
4:20PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Warm-to-hot sun for most, risk of sunburn and dehydration. Early sea fog on low slopes near west coasts of England and Wales, may briefly lift but soon dissipating. Varied cloud western Scottish Highlands, mostly Mull to Skye, little or none eastward; high tops in and around Lochaber above the cloud layer.
Headline for West Highlands
Highest summits above broken cloud; warm
How windy? (On the Munros)
West-southwesterly 15 to 20mph; in places quite gusty, approaching 30mph, not just over the tops. Lighter wind further south, locally 10mph Arran.
Effect of the wind on you?
Feeling blustery early in the day around some higher slopes mainly in western Lochaber. Fairly small southern hills.
How Wet?
A little local drizzle far west
Pockets of fine drizzle mainly coastal areas around Mull, Ardnamurchan and sometimes Knoydart. Dry further inland and south. A light drizzle may spread more widely along the Lochaber coastal summits late in the day.
Cloud on the hills?
Most persistent northwest; high tops above cloud
Periods of blanket fog from lower elevations up along the coast from Mull to Knoydart. Cloud more patchy southward and inland, early bases to 300-400m along the coast, tops near 1000-1100m. Base lifts to 800-900m inland, and often breaking, particularly south.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30% northwest; 80% inland and south (high tops above cloud layer)
Sunshine and air clarity?
Extensive sunshine in clear air on the high summits above cloud. Sunshine patchier on low slopes, particularly Lochaber where extended cloudy spells are likely; excellent visibility below cloud.
How Cold? (at 900m)
11C, rising up to 15C where not in cloud on high terrain; easternmost glens may approach 22 or 23C. Feeling like 3 to 5C early if exposed to stronger breeze.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Friday 10th July 2026
Last updated
Wed 8th Jul 26 at
4:20PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly 10-15mph early in day, possible 20mph northwest Lochaber, but likely dropping below 10mph widely.
Effect of the wind on you?
Small.
How Wet?
Risk of occasional rain
Patchy drizzle mainly coastal hills. Some spots of rain possible from high cloud, chance of steadier light rain falling locally over a few hours, an odd heavier burst towards central highlands later.
Cloud on the hills?
Risk covering many hills
Varied to perhaps fairly extensive low cloud across the hills, notably in western coastal areas, from lower elevations upward. May persist Lochaber to Mull. Some high tops may be above/between layers, perhaps more broken Arran to Ben Lomond.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30% Lochaber, to 60% around Loch Lomond
Sunshine and air clarity?
Mostly overcast, local weak sun through a thick veil of high cloud. Some misty areas, but possibly improving to be good visibility some inland areas.
How Cold? (at 900m)
10C west of Loch Linnhe, up to 13 to 15C inland and south, rising slightly, up to 16C Ben Lomond to Arran.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Saturday 11th July 2026
Last updated
Wed 8th Jul 26 at
4:20PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Generally easterly but variable, 10-15mph, most notable breezes south of Glen Coe; locally lower speeds too.
Effect of the wind on you?
Small.
How Wet?
Some patchy rain
Patches of light rain here and there through the day, many hills see extended dry windows. A greater risk of steadier falls well inland early, perhaps later around Ben Nevis and Glencoe groups.
Cloud on the hills?
Fairly extensive
Extensive from lower slopes upward at dawn; some varied broken cloud northwest of Loch Linnhe. Bases lift, unlikely rising above 800m well inland. Some breaks approach 900m or higher towards the coast, but highly variable with lower banks returning.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Some brighter moments towards the coast but largely overcast; poor visibility on high terrain, to very good below cloud.
How Cold? (at 900m)
12 to 14C, mildest to the south.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Planning Outlook
Staying warm in Scotland, hot for England and Wales into the weekend. High pressure shifts northward, facilitating a strengthening easterly wind across most areas. Some lingering cloud and rain over the Scottish Highlands on Friday and Saturday, some risk of heavier thundery bursts on Friday. The weekend is likely dry across England and Wales with fairly extensive sun, some sea fog beginning to affect northeastern hill groups later weekend. Easterly wind will persist next week, sometimes quite strong England and Wales. Mostly sunny and quite hot, including Scottish Highlands. Low pressure south of the country may push showers into Wales, though confidence is low. Otherwise, this hot and dry pattern is likely to persist until late next week, at least.