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

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Click here to download the latest PDF Last Updated Thu 24th Apr 25 at 7:46AM
View our detailed version Last Updated Thu 24th Apr 25 at 7:46AM

Viewing Forecast For

West Highlands
Thursday 24th April 2025
Last updated Thu 24th Apr 25 at 7:46AM

Summary for all mountain areas

Low cloud from the North Sea covering all but some western mountains widely from dawn will gradually clear as it retreats eastwards into the middle of the day, some patches may remain on eastern slopes. Sunny most or all day western coasts. Small risk an afternoon shower.

Headline for West Highlands

Sunshine and patchy cloud, breeze increasing near coast.

How windy? (On the Munros)

Southeasterly 10 to 20mph; strengthening near coast and on islands, reaching 25-30mph toward evening Arran to Mull, 35mph into night.

Effect of the wind on you?

Fairly small inland, but becoming more blustery coastal areas, may start to affect comfortable walking on exposed ridges.

How Wet?

Rain unlikely

Small risk of an isolated afternoon shower.

Cloud on the hills?

Local patches clearing; little if any west

Cloud widespread morning between about 450m and 900/1000m - higher summits above the cloud. Very little of the cloud will penetrate to within about 10miles of the west coast on summits north of Loch Awe. From late morning or midday will progressively break up: very little left by mid afternoon.

Chance of cloud free Munros?

Becoming greater than 90% (cloud lower down particularly morning)

Sunshine and air clarity?

Increasingly sunny from the west. Visibility excellent, locally misty eastern areas at first.

How Cold? (at 900m)

3C rising to 6C, coolest inland in morning.

Freezing Level

Above the summits, but slight frost some sheltered higher and lower slopes at dawn.

Viewing Forecast For

West Highlands
Friday 25th April 2025
Last updated Thu 24th Apr 25 at 7:46AM

How windy? (On the Munros)

South-southeasterly 25-30mph inland. Stronger along the coast, up to 40mph on the islands and near Clyde sea lochs.

Effect of the wind on you?

Stability affected at times on exposed terrain. Strenuous walking with balance challenges near the coast. Feeling chilly.

How Wet?

Rain mostly coastal hills

Patchy rain soon arrives on coastal mountains where frequently raining all day occasionally heavier. Some patchy rain extends further inland, but very little toward and north of Glen Spean.

Cloud on the hills?

Variable, mostly south and west in rain

Lowering over higher slopes on islands and around Clyde sea lochs in rain, risk filling in for periods above 600m. Early low cloud inland Loch Lomond NP may lift, then varied on tops. Higher and more broken cloud northwards.

Chance of cloud free Munros?

60% inland Lochaber, 30% west/south.

Sunshine and air clarity?

Weak sun through high cloud at dawn, becoming mostly cloudy. Visibility good inland, becoming hazy west, poor in rain.

How Cold? (at 900m)

2 to 5C, coolest inland Loch Lomond NP in morning. Feeling like -5C in strongest wind.

Freezing Level

Above the summits

Viewing Forecast For

West Highlands
Saturday 26th April 2025
Last updated Thu 24th Apr 25 at 7:46AM

How windy? (On the Munros)

Southerly 15 to 25mph, for a time 30mph some tops; easing a little afternoon, but risk increasing further from dusk into night.

Effect of the wind on you?

May just start to affect balance on exposed high terrain for a few hours, becoming fairly small.

How Wet?

Patchy rain, locally a showery burst

Rain on and off from dawn into the morning, may persist for a few hours locally. Becoming patchy and drizzly, may largely fade out, but risk an odd burst of rain mostly inland into afternoon.

Cloud on the hills?

Fairly extensive, rising slowly

Widely covering the hills in the morning, banks at various heights, to lower slopes especially southern areas. Only slowly lifting toward upper slopes, some breaks forming later afternoon to 900m or above.

Chance of cloud free Munros?

20%

Sunshine and air clarity?

Little or no sun, glimpses late afternoon. Misty, murky start widely, visibility slowly improving to become good below cloud.

How Cold? (at 900m)

5C

Freezing Level

Above the summits

Planning Outlook

Weak fronts will encroach from the Atlantic by Friday into the weekend, bringing more humid air, with low cloud and patchy rain or drizzle, local showery bursts. Possibility of more persistent rain in western Scotland by Sunday with stronger southwesterly winds for a time. Generally mild, or increasingly warm into early next week as southerly air prevails. High pressure rebuilding with a good deal of dry and sunny weather expected next week into the start of May.