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.
Wednesday'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.
Patchy rain or drizzle
Rain on and off, or generally drizzly - total amounts small, but may be persistently damp, especially where hills are shrouded in cloud.
Poor visibility
Murky conditions with areas of fog shrouding the hills, making navigation challenging. Map and compass essential.
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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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.
Patchy rain or drizzle
Rain on and off, or generally drizzly - total amounts small, but may be persistently damp, especially where hills are shrouded in cloud.
Poor visibility
Murky conditions with areas of fog shrouding the hills, making navigation challenging. Map and compass essential.
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
Wednesday 22nd July 2026
Last updated
Tue 21st Jul 26 at
4:00PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Dull and damp for northern Scotland much of the day, low cloud blanketing the hills, fresh northwesterly winds, feeling cool. Drier and better cloud breaks southward across the Highlands. Some cloud on hills in northern England and Wales tending to lift and break, some warm sunshine.
Headline for West Highlands
Lowest cloud and damp north, better south. Moderate breeze.
How windy? (On the Munros)
North to northwesterly 15 to 25mph, typically strongest on coastal mountains throughout the day, and more widely early in day, at times 30mph high tops.
Effect of the wind on you?
Feeling breezy and rather cool on high terrain particularly morning, in places starting to affect balance on exposed ridges.
How Wet?
A little rain mainly north
Occasional patchy light rain and drizzle mainly Lochaber to Mull. Largely dry further southwards, odd drizzly patches near to coasts.
Cloud on the hills?
Fairly extensive, persistent coasts, rising inland, breaks south
Covering hills fairly widely above 700 to 900m in morning in Lochaber and coasts, some lower banks. Tending to lift above 1000m, breaks forming higher inland afternoon, best Loch Lomond NP. Lower banks persist Mull to Jura.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20% rising to 40% inland north, 60% south.
Sunshine and air clarity?
Fairly cloudy, some sun breaking through at times, better southwards. Visibility mostly very good below cloud.
How Cold? (at 900m)
9C where in cloud, rising to 11C afternoon inland, 13C eastern Loch Lomond NP. Feeling near 0C in the wind early in day.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Thursday 23rd July 2026
Last updated
Tue 21st Jul 26 at
4:00PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Westerly 15 to 25mph, strongest over high tops in Ben Nevis group and coastal tops near Mull, freshening widely, later 30mph.
Effect of the wind on you?
Fairly small effect on walking, but feeling breezy and quite cool on high terrain. Becoming increasingly blustery evening.
How Wet?
Damp west Lochaber, drier south
Patchy drizzle, most frequent near and west of Loch Linnhe, where developing into some steadier light rain during evening. More often dry Loch Lomond NP.
Cloud on the hills?
Fairly extensive, rising, some breaks
Shrouding hills especially in Lochaber from lower elevations upward early in the day, patchier southward. Bases tending to lift to 900-1000m with breaks forming inland, though near Mull lingers above 800m.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20% W Lochaber, rising to 40% elsewhere.
Sunshine and air clarity?
Largely cloudy, misty poor visibility to some lower elevations up in the morning, improving to become very good below cloud where dry, some sun breaking through best in Loch Lomond NP.
How Cold? (at 900m)
8 or 9C coastal areas, little change all day. Inland 9 or 10C rising to 12C out of cloud. Feeling near 0C in the stronger wind.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Viewing Forecast For
West Highlands
Friday 24th July 2026
Last updated
Tue 21st Jul 26 at
4:00PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Westerly 25 to 40mph, strongest sustained speeds over higher Ben Nevis group with gusts to 50mph.
Effect of the wind on you?
Very blustery over high terrain, affecting comfortable walking and balance on some ridges. Considerable wind chill.
How Wet?
Drizzly rain
Drizzle over many mountains much of the day, some steadier light rain particularly western Lochaber. Some drier moments inland Loch Lomond NP. Into evening, heavier rain develops from northwest.
Cloud on the hills?
Extensive, lowest coasts
Shrouding most mountains all day, near coasts much of day above 500-600m, bases typically 700-900m inland, some breaks may form toward central highlands.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Cloudy and dull, misty much of day west coast hills. Some better visibility inland at times below cloud and where dry.
How Cold? (at 900m)
7C rising to 9 or 10C; little change with added height on Munros. Feeling like 0 to -5C directly in the wind.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Planning Outlook
Westerly winds strengthen widely later this week, reaching gale-force over Scottish tops on Friday; low cloud across western Scotland, drizzle and steadier light rain, turning heavier later Friday. A swathe of persistent rain and strong winds moving southwards across Britain into Saturday, leaving a legacy of showers for Scotland, winds tending to lessen. Further areas of showers into Sunday. A changeable westerly pattern into next week and likely into early August, bringing spells of rain and showers; varying wind speeds, strengthening at times to gales on high tops. Often cooler for Scotland, a mix of cooler and warmer days for England & Wales.