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Hello from Canada...so, I'm not local to Scotland anymore but I'm visiting at the end of May and had ambitions to knock out a big mountain ride. However, I see some sensationalist news headlines about winter extending her grip for another four weeks or so....
So how 'bad' are conditions on the hills? I had hoped to ride Ben Lawers, Being A Bhuird or Lochnagar but not in the snow! Anyone been up high recently or can suggest where I can get accurate, up-to-date trail conditions? Was this a poor snow year like it was over here?
http://www.stevenfallon.co.uk/webcams.html
Not really anything to do with trail conditions, but you could use these to get an idea of how much snow there is at various heights around the region.
Sensationalist weather headlines? That'll be the Daily Express or Daily Mail then 🙄
Depending on the spring snow can be lying on the tops until June or later, people are still ice climbing on Ben Nevis for example. Four weeks is a long time in mountain weather so I'd keep checking the various web cams and be prepared to adjust your plans accordingly.
Many years ago I was marooned overnight in Summer on the top of the Corrieyairack Pass by a blizzard. By mid morning there was no sign of it and I got sunburnt.
In short be prepared for the worst. Not doing that is what kills many otherwise intelligent and well experienced outdoors people on our mountains every year. Carry gear for an uncomfortable night out - it doesn't need to be full arctic, just the minimum to keep you alive in misery, and in all likelihood you won't need it and will curse the person who made you carry the unnecessary weight.
markgraylish, living and riding in scotland all year round is a total mixed bag weather wise as you'll no doubt remember.
i guess that you'll definitely have at least pockets of snow higher up on any of these hills (because you've picked higher ones starting at around 3,750ft). with a chance of blizzards or heat waves. whatever, id go ahead and plan the route and just be aware of what the weathers doing. a your canada based so I'm sure you are well equipped for the weather.
from the pentlands on thursday evening, the highlands are all white above what id guess at around 2,500ft just now.
beinn a'bhuird sounds like a good one if you've not been before, a personal fav...
To change subject slightly, which is the favourite way up and down Beinn a'bhuird? Will be up there in june so hopefully not much snow threat.