Early winter · Weather & things to do
Fort William in December
Fort William edges cooler than November, with highs of 43°F (6°C), lows of 37°F (3°C) and about 7.2 in (184 mm) of rain.
With a comfort score of 31/100 (11th of 12), it's one of the toughest months, held back mainly by cool days.
- Avg high
- 43°F (6°C)
- Avg low
- 37°F (3°C)
- Rain
- 7.2 in (184 mm)
- Humidity
- 96%
- Cloud cover
- 80%
- Daylight
- ~6 h 30 min
- Comfort score
- 31/100 · Tough
What December feels like
Afternoons only reach about 43°F (6°C), so plan on a warm jacket.
After dark, temperatures fall to about 37°F (3°C).
Expect regular rain: about 7.2 in (184 mm) falls in the month.
Expect plenty of overcast days, with cloud cover near 80%.
Daylight is short, roughly 6 h 30 min mid-month, so start sightseeing early.
Plan around December
December is one of the lower-scoring months here; the best are June – August.
- Inside the wettest three-month stretch, November – January.
- Shortest days of the year, about 6 h 30 min of daylight.
- Comfort slips from 38/100 in November to 31/100.
- Our Scotland’s Highland Rail Line route recommends May – Sep, so December falls outside its suggested window.
What to pack for December
- Insulated jackethighs only 43°F
- Rain jacket and waterproof shoes7.2 in of rain on average
- Comfortable walking shoesmost places below are best reached on foot or with short walks
What to do in Fort William in December
A mixed month: these picks balance outdoor stops with indoor fallbacks.
Neptune's Staircase
Eight-lock flight on the Caledonian Canal with views of Ben Nevis.
Steall Falls
Gorge walk to a 120-m waterfall with a wire bridge across the river.
Glenfinnan Monument
Tower where Bonnie Prince Charlie raised his standard in 1745, on Loch Shiel.
Nevis Range Mountain Gondola
Gondola up Aonach Mòr for Ben Nevis and loch views.
Jacobite Steam Train
Steam train on the West Highland Line from Fort William to Mallaig over Glenfinnan.
Nearby in December
- Aviemore & the Cairngorms in December~55 mi · highs 41°F, 4.4 in rain · 1°C (3°F) cooler by day, drier
- Inverness in December~56 mi · highs 42°F, 2.8 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, drier
- Edinburgh in December~95 mi · highs 43°F, 2.9 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, drier
- Dublin in December~244 mi · highs 47°F, 3.8 in rain · 2°C (4°F) warmer by day, drier
NASA POWER 2001–2025 monthly averages on a ~50 km grid, temperatures adjusted from the grid cell's ~382 m to Fort William's ~9 m elevation (standard lapse rate). Comfort scores weigh temperature, rain, humidity and cloud: see how we score each month. Check a forecast before you go.
Fort William in December: quick answers
Is December a good time to visit Fort William?
It's one of the tougher months here, scoring 31/100, held back mainly by cool days. The best months are June – August. Expect highs of 43°F (6°C) and 7.2 in (184 mm) of rain. Our Scotland’s Highland Rail Line route recommends May – Sep, so December is outside its suggested window.
How cold is Fort William in December?
Average highs are 43°F (6°C) and average lows 37°F (3°C), making it the 3rd-coldest month by daytime highs.
Does it rain a lot in Fort William in December?
Yes: about 7.2 in (184 mm) of rain falls across December on average, the 2nd-wettest month of the year. The annual total is about 71.5 in (1815 mm).
What should I pack for Fort William in December?
Bring insulated jacket (highs only 43°F), rain jacket and waterproof shoes (7.2 in of rain on average) and comfortable walking shoes (most places below are best reached on foot or with short walks).
More on Fort William
Planning Fort William in December?
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