Lochaber faces the Atlantic and catches its weather: Fort William is among the wettest towns in Britain. That is what feeds the waterfalls and the green of the glens. Come prepared, stay more than one night, and you will almost always get a window.
Season by season
Spring (March–May)
April and May are statistically the driest months and the most reliable for clear views, with snow still streaking the high tops. The steam train starts running around Easter, and there are no midges until late May.
Summer (June–August)
Long days for big walks and every service running. Also the busiest roads, the fullest car parks and the worst midges. Ben Nevis sees hundreds of walkers on a fine Saturday.
Autumn (September–November)
September is excellent: quieter, often settled, with the hills turning russet and stags roaring in October. Rain and wind increase through the autumn and the Jacobite stops in late October.
Winter (December–February)
Glencoe under snow is unforgettable, and skiing runs at Glencoe Mountain and Nevis Range when conditions allow. The mountains become serious winter terrain needing ice axe and crampons; days are short and some businesses close.
Month by month
| Month | High | Low | Daylight | Crowds | Midges |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 7 °C | 1 °C | 7 h | Quiet | — |
| February | 7 °C | 1 °C | 9.5 h | Quiet | — |
| March | 9 °C | 2 °C | 12 h | Quiet | — |
| April | 12 °C | 4 °C | 14.5 h | Moderate | — |
| May | 16 °C | 6 °C | 16.5 h | Busy | Some |
| June | 18 °C | 9 °C | 18 h | Busy | Peak |
| July | 19 °C | 11 °C | 17.5 h | Peak | Peak |
| August | 19 °C | 11 °C | 15 h | Peak | Peak |
| September | 16 °C | 9 °C | 12.5 h | Busy | Some |
| October | 13 °C | 6 °C | 10 h | Moderate | — |
| November | 9 °C | 3 °C | 8 h | Quiet | — |
| December | 7 °C | 1 °C | 6.5 h | Quiet | — |
Temperatures are rounded long-term averages for the nearest weather station; real days vary widely, especially in the hills.
Festivals & events
- FebruaryFort William Mountain Festival
Films, talks and workshops celebrating mountain culture. - April – OctoberJacobite steam train season
Daily services in high summer; fewer at the start and end of the season. - AugustGlenfinnan Gathering
Highland games held near the anniversary of the raising of the Jacobite standard on 19 August. - First Saturday of SeptemberBen Nevis Race
Hundreds of hill runners race from Fort William to the summit and back — the winners in well under two hours.
Crowds & booking ahead
The A82 through Glencoe is one of the busiest tourist roads in the Highlands. Between June and August the viewpoint lay-bys are full from mid-morning to late afternoon as day tours pass through, and Glenfinnan is overwhelmed around the steam train’s crossing times. The answer is to stay locally and go early or late: at 8 am or 7 pm in midsummer you can have the Three Sisters almost to yourself. Accommodation in Glencoe is limited and should be booked several months ahead for summer.
