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
Windy, walking impeded
Blustery conditions enough to give buffeting on higher terrain or affect balance on exposed ridges. 25 to 40mph.
Frequent or persistent rain
Steady rain fairly persistent, occasionally heavy, rather wet underfoot.
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.
Frequent or persistent rain
Steady rain fairly persistent, occasionally heavy, rather wet underfoot.
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
Tuesday 18th August 2026
Last updated
Mon 17th Aug 26 at
4:25PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Fresh-to-strong westerly breezes bring frequent showery rain and drizzle to western Scotland all day, plus patchy rain western England and Wales in the morning, here becoming drier until rain returns by evening. All western tops often in cloud. Some showery rain extends east across the Highlands.
Headline for West Highlands
Blustery, often raining western hills, cloud on tops.
How windy? (On the Munros)
West-southwesterly 25 to 35mph, gusts 40mph in places around higher tops.
Effect of the wind on you?
Strenuous walking where exposed on high terrain, some buffeting over high tops and ridges. Considerable wind chill.
How Wet?
Rain on and off, most frequent northwest
Showery rain throughout the day, mixed with drizzle over the hills, common over coastal areas. Odd heavier bursts inland by afternoon, some persistent rain for periods mainly Lochaber, especially west of Loch Linnhe.
Cloud on the hills?
Fairly extensive, lowest coasts
Often covering coastal hills above 600 to 800m, inland more often the cloud above 800m, higher breaks forming afternoon away from showers.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Fairly cloudy with rare brief sun. Visibility good, but reduced in showers and slight coastal haze.
How Cold? (at 900m)
7 or 8C, trending cooler later in day. Feeling like 0 to -3C in the wind.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Wednesday 19th August 2026
Last updated
Mon 17th Aug 26 at
4:25PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Starting SW'ly 25mph far south. Variable 10mph or less for several hours, sudden gusts in rain. Later NE'ly 25mph north.
Effect of the wind on you?
Mostly small, but prepare for notable wind chill if exposed to gusts, or stronger speeds locally.
How Wet?
Heavy bursts increasingly, risk lightning
Patchy rain mostly around coasts and islands early in the day, but increasingly showery rain forming widely, heavy bursts mainly inland into the afternoon, moving around slowly to give rain locally for an hour or more. Risk of thunder.
Cloud on the hills?
Varying, most extensive around rain
Patchy cloud around some slopes in the morning, tending to lift toward high tops, mostly confined above 1000m with higher breaks. During and after rain, cloud lowering, ragged patches to lower slopes.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
50%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Brief sun inland in the morning, clouding over; some sun later near coasts. Visibility very good when dry, but poor in showers.
How Cold? (at 900m)
7 or 8C, little change all day. Feeling near to freezing if exposed to increasing wind.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Thursday 20th August 2026
Last updated
Mon 17th Aug 26 at
4:25PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
North-northeasterly 20 to 30mph.
Effect of the wind on you?
Feeling distinctly chilly on exposed high terrain. Breezy over hills, in places may affect comfortable walking.
How Wet?
A few showers
A scattering of showers spreading from the north, briefly heavy locally, forming more widely inland during afternoon.
Cloud on the hills?
Varying on tops
Patches capping higher slopes above 900-1000m, some lower patches in rain. Breaks for periods toward tops, mainly south.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
40%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Fairly cloudy, some sun breaking through. Visibility very good, but reduced in rain.
How Cold? (at 900m)
5 or 6C, little variation all day; slightly cooler by evening in Lochaber. Feeling like -3C in stronger wind.
Freezing Level
Above the summits, but by evening, dropping close to freezing on Ben Nevis summit above 1300m.
Planning Outlook
Low pressure dominates across Britain into midweek, bringing showery conditions widely, some more organised bands of rain at times. Some heavy and thundery downpours forming, mostly into the afternoons, becoming focused further south with time. Fresh westerly winds turning northerly and temperature lowering later this week, dropping close to freezing on high Scottish tops by Friday and frost may occur in Highland glens over a couple of nights. More often dry with rare lighter showers over the weekend as higher pressure builds. Strengthening south-southwesterly winds into early next week with a risk of rain returning from the west, but warmer temperatures are likely.