Scotland and midges

[Azteccamper]

Hi. Lots of info on here and on the internet regarding the midge season, but wanted a feel for your thoughts of a September tour. We last visited Scotland on our last mini tour during April 2019 and everywhere was midge free (too early I know), we quite fancy returning this September as we have both retired from teaching - we just got to do something as my friends trot into schools!
Has anyone got info - good or bad? We intended doing the west coast and the isles of Skye, Harris, etc.
Thanks
Aztec

 

[Trail Planner]

The Scottish Midge Forecast

The Scottish Midge Forecast uses data from biting midge traps and mini-weather stations across Scotland to give you a view of midge levels in Scotland.

www.smidgeup.com

 

[paul_f]

We haven't seen many midges for the past couple of days. I think that is because it has been raining though!
Smidge seems to work better than the skin so soft my wife has been using

 

[clarinetbcn]

Smidge seems to work better than the skin so soft my wife has been using

Skin so Soft is not about the chemicals, it’s about the texture. You have to put enough on. They’re so small they get stuck in even a thin layer and struggle to death before they ever reach your skin. Those who know midges will recognize how much pleasure I get in saying that.

Somewhat gross, but from experience I can tell you it’s very effective.

 

[Swello]

If you don't like midges, you probably don't want to watch this video of a very experienced hiker getting caught in a midge hatching. Something similar happened to me once, very close to the remote loch where he was actually - the noise on the tent still haunts my nightmares

https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/weird-news/hundreds-midges-crawl-over-hill-24633631

 

[Her Outdoors]

I think you'll be fine by September, especially on the islands - the wind keeps the midges away. In our younger days we used cigars as a midge deterrent if they appeared - these days we've got these in our wardrobe in the van ;-) just in case...

Midge & Mosquito Head Net Hat | Midge Head Net | Lifesystems

These Midge & Mosquito Head Nets hang from a hat and protect your head and neck from mosquitoes and other insects.

www.lifesystems.co.uk

 

[BeagleMum]

Hi. Lots of info on here and on the internet regarding the midge season, but wanted a feel for your thoughts of a September tour. We last visited Scotland on our last mini tour during April 2019 and everywhere was midge free (too early I know), we quite fancy returning this September as we have both retired from teaching - we just got to do something as my friends trot into schools!
Has anyone got info - good or bad? We intended doing the west coast and the isles of Skye, Harris, etc.
Thanks
Aztec

We go regularly to the West Coast from mid September to the latter end of October, have never had a problem and we have been doing that for many years.

 

[mountainman]

Unless VW has wised up (or taken my advice) since we bought our SE180 in 2011, the screens installed in the roof bellows windows and ventilators and rear windows screens are all too course to keep out midgies. They pour in, the little devils.

 

[Billylou]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1420011232673865731

 

[califan]

We go regularly to the West Coast from mid September to the latter end of October, have never had a problem and we have been doing that for many years.

Agree completely, same here, we’ve never had an issue, often visit Argyle and inner Hebrides late September into early October We go prepared, nets, SSS, but never required. Enjoy.

 

[Her Outdoors]

... another thought - do book all your ferries - when we went in our California we had the CalMac HopScotch ticket which is very good value, and you only have to book your first ferry... BUT you can then find the ferries you want to get are full - that's what happened to us. Thankfully we weren't in the position of the family we met in Stornaway on a Thursday, who were told there were no spaces on any ferries until the following Tuesday :-O

 

[Norfolk Jim]

We always go early May or late September and for the past 6 years have hardly see a midge _that's put a death nell on this September........... The East coast is far better than the west coast. We've found Smidge to be the best when we have encountered them or the dreaded Clegs!!!!! As clairinetbcn said - they stick to Oh So Soft!!

 

[mountainman]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1420011232673865731

Thank you Billylou the best midge video I've seen. There are two types of people who visit Scotland's west coast, those who have had the Billylou experience and those who are about to!
The message being, that is what you need to be prepared for!
If it is dry and hot, then the midgies are rarely a problem, but.......

 

[clarinetbcn]

Thank you Billylou the best midge video I've seen. There are two types of people who visit Scotland's west coast, those who have had the Billylou experience and those who are about to!
The message being, that is what you need to be prepared for!
If it is dry and hot, then the midgies are rarely a problem, but.......

Dry and hot Scotland is an oxymoron, a word I love because it has "moron" in it and makes me feel smarter than everybody else.

 

[mountainman]

Dry and hot Scotland is an oxymoron, a word I love because it has "moron" in it and makes me feel smarter that everybody else.

Indeed. But it is happening more often these days. I should have prefaced my previous post with 'Midge season' which is really May - September. Until recently, May and September have been fairly midge free. Not any more I am afraid. The midge season is expanding, not just in seasonal terms, but also geographically. They are now much pre prevalent in the East than say 10-15 years ago.

 

[Norfolk Jim]

EEK - nets it will be then..............last Sept at Port a bhaigh we had 23 deg!!

 

[mountainman]

The most important thing to know about midgies is that they don't like wind, or can no longer locate you in a very slight breeze. 3-4 mph of wind is enough to banish them. In other words, they only bother you in still or very sheltered conditions, like woodlands etc. So you can out-walk them! If you keep moving, they won't bother you, just don't stop for a sandwich!

 

[mountainman]

I once walked for 12 hours because I dare not stop, eating and drinking on the move. Contrary to 'common knowledge', they were even on the summits. As I said previously, they are expanding their territory. Global warming?

 

[The Merle]

Yep get some in the Cairngorms these days (only occasionally).

 

[Cali Phillip]

Yep get some in the Cairngorms these days (only occasionally).

And some parts of Northumberland can be as bad as the west highlands