In reply to rodw: I was was on the Southeast ridge of Ben Lui on Fri.
There was soft saturated older snow lower down that was nice and hard higher up. However a fall of fresh powder on thu was on top of this, as mentioned I would stay out the gullies, sais were talking of windslab on NE facing slopes. Slightly milder today but maybe not enough to thaw above the summits for a re-freeze to firm up. I think the wind will be your greatest enemy early next week though.