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.
Winter sunshine
Bright sunshine most of the day with the mountains generally free of cloud. Snow cover on higher terrain.
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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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.
Winter sunshine
Bright sunshine most of the day with the mountains generally free of cloud. Snow cover on higher terrain.
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
Thursday 25th December 2025
Last updated
Wed 24th Dec 25 at
4:20PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Dry with sunshine best in west and northern Scotland, high terrain warmer than many lower slopes, local low-level fog. High summits SE Highlands likely just above patchy cloud. Mostly cloudy Pennines, grazing tops, clearer westward across the Lakes. Gusty easterly winds, strongest further south, gale-force in Wales.
Headline for West Highlands
Sunshine; gusty wind, strongest south; patchy cloud south.
How windy? (On the Munros)
Easterly 15-25mph; some gustiness widely, the strongest sustained winds toward south including Loch Lomond NP, but particularly Arran and near Clyde sea lochs, here gusts up to 35mph.
Effect of the wind on you?
Fairly small Lochaber, though turbulent gusts widely at all elevations, walking locally more strenuous in south with considerable wind chill.
How Wet?
Dry all day
Cloud on the hills?
Patches on mid-upper slopes mainly central highlands; largely clear Lochaber
Patchy cloud on some middle slopes above 700m, most frequently near and east of Loch Lomond - top of cloud layer around 1000m, leaving highest summits just above cloud. Much of west coast and Lochaber largely clear.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
Above 90% Lochaber and west coast, 60% Loch Lomond NP (tops above cloud).
Sunshine and air clarity?
Patchy sunshine, best in Lochaber where may be fairly extensive. Excellent visibility.
How Cold? (at 900m)
0 or +1C, a degree warmer coastal Lochaber. Warmer higher up above an inversion, up to 6C on Ben Nevis top. Feeling like -7C directly in wind at 700-1000m, local -10C in strongest gusts Arran.
Freezing Level
Some slopes near freezing point between 700-1000m mainly central highlands, also frost in glens; milder west slopes and highest tops, but high terrain still partly frozen.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Friday 26th December 2025
Last updated
Wed 24th Dec 25 at
4:20PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Easterly 10 to 25mph, strongest in southern areas, gusty in places, tending to increase a little during daytime.
Effect of the wind on you?
Fairly small in Lochaber, but feeling blustery and colder further south, some uncomfortable gusty spots.
How Wet?
Dry all day
Cloud on the hills?
Many hills clear, patchy cloud south
Patchy fog mainly glens or lower slopes, the mountains generally clear. Mainly in eastern Loch Lomond NP, some cloud banks higher up, 600-900m, highest tops may be just above this cloud.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
70%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Bright sunshine and excellent visibility, particularly Lochaber and west coast; locally misty lower down.
How Cold? (at 900m)
0 to 2C, small variation with height inland, some corries and glens stay colder, whilst highest tops may be slightly warmer.
Freezing Level
Frost in many inland glens, terrain at least partly frozen higher up, but air temperature just above freezing on high tops.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Saturday 27th December 2025
Last updated
Wed 24th Dec 25 at
4:20PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Easterly 20 to 30mph, typically strongest toward south, but possible stronger gusts widely some slopes, not just highest tops.
Effect of the wind on you?
Blustery in places, some buffeting gusts may affect balance, giving a distinct chill, more sustained Loch Lomond/Arran.
How Wet?
Precipitation unlikely
Cloud on the hills?
Mostly little; patches on some slopes
Patchy cloud may drift onto some slopes mostly in the range 700 to 1000m, higher tops likely above cloud. Hills generally clearer many western areas.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
80%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Broken cloud and sun, more often sunny toward west coast near Mull. Visibility excellent.
How Cold? (at 900m)
0 to 2C, but up to 5C some western slopes and on higher tops above an inversion. Feeling like -5 to -8C in stronger wind.
Freezing Level
Varied partly frozen terrain, including frost inland glens, but above freezing on most west coastal slopes and on highest tops.
Planning Outlook
Dry weather continues into the weekend as a strong area of high pressure resides near or north of Scotland. Inversion conditions Scottish mountains, high tops generally above freezing and above most patchy cloud, some frost and fog in glens. Gusty east-northeasterly wind increasing for Scotland by Saturday, easing again for Sunday. Strong and gusty winds prevail for England and Wales, often cloudy, a little light rain occasionally Pennines; some sun toward west. Next week stays dry for many, local showers northern Scotland, possibly turning chillier with northerly winds. *** Wishing you a very happy Christmas and New Year from all the team at MWIS ***