Midges in Scotland

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  • EasyT
    EasyT Forum Participant Posts: 16,194
    1000 Comments
    edited February 2017 #32

    I think you do right Tammy. In our case we have no need.

  • Qashqai66
    Qashqai66 Forum Participant Posts: 551
    edited February 2017 #33

    The only solution we have found is that of no longer going to Scotland.  

    We have had two summer trips (work not holiday) in Finland and that was even worse than Scotland.

    We are also carful in France and have to avoid the South coast and the Camargue in particular.

  • philipemmo
    philipemmo Forum Participant Posts: 22
    edited February 2017 #34

    Hi everybody, wow this is some topic!. Me and the mrs are thinking of doing the NC500 from 4-18th September, anti clockwise from Inverness. We have penciled in Sango Sands at Durness, Ullapool, and Bunree as sites we would like to visit. Has anyone had any bad experience with the Midges in these western sites. BTW, I have absolutely no idea what a Cleg is, and when you say 'Midges', we in South Yorkshire think of those tiny black things that swarm. Are you alluding to what we call Mozzies, or Gnats, just so I can get an idea of what you are talking about. Never been to the Highlands before, and my wife is not too good with anything that's got more legs than her.surprised Any advice would be appreciated. Thank You all.

  • ABM
    ABM Forum Participant Posts: 14,578
    1000 Comments
    edited February 2017 #35

    Hi,  PhillipEmmo

      The  midges  up  on  the  western  side  of  Scotland  are

    wee  beasties  of  about  two ( 2 )  millimetres  which  live

    in  the  shadey  damp  areas  found  bushes,  trees  etc 

    within  striking  range  of  still  or  slow  moving  water.  It 

    is  the  female  that  bites  ( as ever surprised)  she  needs  the 

    blood  for  the  eggs.  I  only  had  one  bad  session  with

    them  and  that  was  back  in  my  tenting  days  --  putting

    the  pegs  in  round  the  base  of  the  tent  and  my  t-shirt

    rode  up   giving  that  area  as  a  landing  strip  for  the

    Midgie Air  force  !  40  years  later  I  recognise  the  signs

    and  take  the  precautions  of  Repellant    and  treatment !!

    Should  they  change  tactics.  ==  the  Jungle  Formula stuff

    is  good  as  is  Avon's  dry  oil  spray  "Skin  So  Soft"  Which 

    is  allegedly  used  by  our  Armed  Forces  in  Afghanistan

    { NOT  JOKING  !! }  also  "Smidge  that  midge"  has  its  followers  too.

    Like  most  things  its  choice  - some  use  aspirins  for 

    head aches,  some  Ibuprofen  and  its  the  same  for  midge creams / treatments.

    Whatever  you  do  choose  to  do  dont  let  the  ***************

    put  you  off  visiting  a  beautiful  country    !!

    A B M

  • philipemmo
    philipemmo Forum Participant Posts: 22
    edited February 2017 #36

    ABM, thanks for the advice, I was wondering if there are any areas on the western coast that are so bad as to give them a miss and try elsewhere. Also, I don't know when the Midge season starts and finishes up there, as I say we are going early to mid September, so hopefully things may not be as bad.

  • Pippah45
    Pippah45 Forum Participant Posts: 2,452
    1000 Comments
    edited February 2017 #37

    A cleg is another word for Horse Fly - nasty beasties but not normally such a disruption as midges can be.  You are getting to the end of the midge season by latish September but if its warm weather they will be there!  Late May to Late September?  But as others have said its the weather conditions that make a difference to them.  As long as you have all the repellents you need I am sure you will have a great time.  I am hoping that I will be traveling before the wee beasties appear.  But the Jungle Formula - Myrtle Candles - blue plug in light and the after bite (anthisan) will all be packed. 

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