Midges in Scotland

[Janine]

I always use midge deterrent on my exposed bits- but I always get bitten everywhere else. Short of having a bath in DEET, I don't know what else to do

 

[obanvanman]

I always use midge deterrent on my exposed bits- but I always get bitten everywhere else. Short of having a bath in DEET, I don't know what else to do

Just get pissed.
After 20 of living up here I have found it to be the best solution.

 

[Korgrocker]

I found a restaurant in Argyll that had one of these. Amazing machines! Not a live midge in sight. Just a lot of dead bodies.

 

[ChrisL]

I took antihistamine for a week before We went up the west coast. I was bitten , with no reaction, a horse fly had me and still no reaction. I normally swell up. Check with your doctor first though.

Antihistamines can make some people sleepy so be careful if you have to drive.

 

[Wee Bold Davy]

Let it be known that you are gay ......... then the female ones (the ones that bite) won't come near you. Simple

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[TinaLes]

Just back from NC500'ish route, not a midge in sight Dont know why miracle perhaps, but we wild camped near rivers, lochs, and on beaches with no problems.
We had the Avon skin so soft with us but never had to use it.
One bottle left in van over winter had separated and had become a large white lump of wax surrounded by clear solution, thought it was Kaput, but shook it hard and left in the sun and it seems to have gone back to its normal consistency.
We feel really lucky to have had such brilliant weather for our entire trip with no rain, except on return 2 day journey home.
I have been eaten alive on Skye in the past, the little buggers can really spoil a holiday, always wondered how "locals" can live with them. Now thanks to you guys, I know the secret, they get pissed, I might consider relocating, but the tax on alcohol has increased in Scotland, so might need my own whiskey still in the woods But how do wait for 10 years before drinking it
Have a great time in the highlands, its an awesome place if you get good weather and a midge free experience.
PS: Take Piriton Tabs with you just in case you get a severe reaction.
Les

 

[Pausim]

It seems a bit early for midges (midgies) so I looked them up. It seems that there are 35 different types in Scotland. The infamous one Culicoides impunctatus known as the Highland Midge is not due to emerge until late May when the non biting boys arrive. The biting girls should not be around before June. Perhaps the early warm weather over Easter brought them out early.

I usually plan my trips to avoid them so I am disappointed to hear they are around early. The only effective protection I have found is a midgie hood and covered skin. I first started to doubt other methods when I visited a famous garden and discovered all the staff wore hoods.

 

[PP Bear]

One of the guys at work has just returned from wild camping in his tent around the NC500.

He told me they had no issues at all with the wee biting nasties, as there weren't any.

Also told me of the most amazing sunset over Applecross, I just need to see the pictures now

 

[Pausim]

One of the guys at work has just returned from wild camping in his tent around the NC500.

He told me they had no issues at all with the wee biting nasties, as there weren't any.

Also told me of the most amazing sunset over Applecross, I just need to see the pictures now

Pleased to hear highland midges are conforming to the usual timetable.

 

[Feltwell]

I love Scotland, but I will only visit early in the season - May is the cut-off. The midges would completely ruin a holiday for me - I still remember with pain a week in a caravan in Wales with the kids when they were young, in a forest site. Midge machines all over the site, they worked as well - they were full of the damn things - but the wee beasties were still unbearable - we spent the whole week inside, every time I stepped outside I was bitten.

Walking round in a beekeepers hat and showering in DEET - sod that, I want to relax on holiday, not be constantly dealing with bites!

Did you know it takes the Scots all winter to train them to attack the Sassenachs?

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[Paul and Pippa]

Let it be known that you are gay ......... then the female ones (the ones that bite) won't come near you. Simple

how did you know sweetie....

 

[Gellyneck]

Thanks for the invite.

Being the downtrodden masses only folk from Glasgow were invited, Trev.
Those who pay their Cooncil Tax elsewhere can afford tae buy their ain grub.
Oanyway, it's aboot time yi wur cleanin that barbie o' yours oot!
No sure how a man o' your age is gonnae make it up aw those steps right enough!
Surely yir awa travelling oanyway. your yi no?

 

[bigtree]

Made this last night, it cooks really well on the barbie.

Being the downtrodden masses only folk from Glasgow were invited, Trev.
Those who pay their Cooncil Tax elsewhere can afford tae buy their ain grub.
Oanyway, it's aboot time yi wur cleanin that barbie o' yours oot!
No sure how a man o' your age is gonnae make it up aw those steps right enough!
Surely yir awa travelling oanyway. your yi no?

 

[Gellyneck]

Made this last night, it cooks really well on the barbie.View attachment 301380

Nae anchovies on it?
Looks good enough to eat.
What went wrong?

 

[Wee Bold Davy]

how did you know sweetie....

Because I lived in Scotland for 48 years and was never once bitten

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[Gellyneck]

Because I lived in Scotland for 48 years and was never once bitten

and you used to be 6ft 4in as well!

 

[WillH]

For info we live in the South West of Scotland and currently have no midges. Setting off next week and heading north for a few days and don't expect to see many at all.

 

[Mr Beaumont]

Been up at Glencoe the last couple of days and not seen any midges

 

[Chockswahay]

I'm going to do the NC500 and have heard Avon skin so soft is good as a repellent, I noticed there are several different types,, which one is best ,,Kind regards ,,Paul

Who cares? your skin will be lovely and soft Dahling

Jokes apart, I never found it or anything else really works. However the best thing to do is stay close to the coast, or high up a mountain ......... it's alway so flippin windy the midges get blown away

 

[PP Bear]

Pleased to hear highland midges are conforming to the usual timetable.

Thank you for that, I was there July and August and didn't have any then either.

Maybe the timetables need amending

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[PeteH]

Our dog is low to the ground and when she's been out in massive attacks (Glenelg on west coast) she got bitten on her belly and around her nose. The areas were swollen but they were fine again by the morning. We did get some prednisolone from the vet in case it happened again but we've never had to use it.

Our vet put the dog on that Prednisolone for an ear infection, she took a minor reaction to it, the results where "quite messy". So be warned, some dogs don`t take to it.

As for "So Soft" the stuff we have came back with us from America, (Texas) and seems to work OK. so maybe the formulation is different?.