Touring Scotland
Could any body help please? We intend touring Scotland in the Summer. Having been well and truly bitten by midges on a previous visit on the West coast, is there a problem on the East coast? Also can anybody recommend a cream/spray that is a good repellent?
Comments
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We had to leave the site at Bunree due to midges (as they went for my daughter with a vengence. We moved further inland and no problems at all
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Several sprays/creams available to ( hopefully ) repel
the awful West Highland Midges ( other folks might
be able to add to this list ) :--
1 ) Jungle Formula ( Deet based )
2 ) Avons Skin so Soft -- used by armed forces in Afghanistan
( Honest -- I'm not joshing you !! )
3 ) Smidge That Midge
Most are obtainable at pharmacies and/or Outdoor
Equipt stores -- some even to be found in the
very best of Caravan Club Wardens Offices !!
As far as the East Coast is concerned I've only ever
been bitten on the Aberdeen or Montrose side when Ive
been trying for a cheap night out
or should I have written Stung there
??They do prefer damp & shady conditions so watch out
near water & trees and bushes -- sneaky beasties they are !!
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yes with a good wind and sunny days they won't be out in great numbers. We had a few days of sun and they weren't a bother, then it rained for a few days and they seemed to multiply exponentially. No problem at all (whatever the weather) Culloden site up to Orkney
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JD, the east coast suffers far less than the west. The extreme north isn't too bad either.
We try to stay away from trees and still water and find the coast often has a breeze which keeps the beasties away. Damp conditions aggravate the problem. Corners suffered at Bunree but the North Ledaig site a few miles south fares better because it is more exposed to the elements - no guarantees mind.
Avon Skin So Soft dry oil spray seems to help - the original blue one. You can buy it online from Avon.
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Thanks all for the very helpful replies.
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You're welcome, John. We've been many times.
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Hi went last summer to Grantown on Spey east side not a midge to be seen lovely site Grantown a nice short walk away Craig's Bar pies to die for, we then drove across to Bunree west coast and midges everywhere, use Avon skin so soft spray and not bitten but they are still annoying blighters.
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The best thing to do is cover up if you react badly to midge bites and get a head/face net to avoid them getting into your eyes. One thing about Scotland is the rapid weather changes, you'll probably be midge free in most places at some point. They tend to hatch out in clouds in warm damp weather. The east coast is usually drier so that does help a bit. Don't let midges put you off, no-one would live in Scotland if it was that bad!
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Those head/face nets are like lightweight versions
of the Beekeepers 'veils' Brue. but being lighter are more
easily folded & stowed in a pocket. They are also
becoming more popular -- or perhaps its just that we
tourists are that much more insistent on enjoying the
'Outdoor Life' and less concerned in looking like a "P##t"
-- certainly didn't bother me when handling the bees !!
P.S. One thing I did not say on the earlier posting was
"Ask The Site Wardens" what they use where they are
!!There might just be a 'Local' repellent that works which we
down 'ere have not yet discovered
P.P.S Should you be in the slightest degree affected
by the midge bites might I suggest you stay well clear
of the southwestern hillock "The Merrick" & camps in
that area == the Midgey S A S use that area for training !!
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I have never encountered midges on east side but certainly have on the West. I have noticed Avon Skin so Soft on sale in CC site offices. No idea how effective as I am one of the fortunate few that can be amid a cloud of midges and suffer very little consequence and therefore take no precautions.
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We spent two months touring Scotland last year. Went in May up the West coast and June / July across the middle, up the top and down the East. Right at the end of May terrible midge problem at Kinlochewe in particular - calm, warm and water seem to be their preferred environment from end of May throughout the summer. No problems up north or down the east though - windier weather probably helped as well.
My advice if you go to the west is to make your getaway before the third week in May if you want to be on the safe side.
Its a fantastic country but nowhere covered it all in two months. Have a great time!
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I really like the Grantown site, but as for the Craig bar's pies - forget them. A bit like the 'Emperor's new clothes', people say they're good, so you think they're good so as not to disagree. IMO, they are mediocrity on a plate with chips. If you want a proper pie, buy one from Mackinnons of Speyside in Aviemore.
It's interesting that most visitors go to the West coast that has both midgies and a much higher rainfall than the east. Still it means that the East is a much more pleasant place to live.
I only go West early and late in the year, and then never go without 'Skin so soft'. It's not perfect, but it helps.
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People go to the West for the Mountains & the views. The east is drier but the hills are a lot lower and not as spectacular, although many of the beaches are good, and there are some very interesting fishing villages hidden away.
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I notice that Grantown on Spey gets a couple of mentions on this thread. Could anyone give some feedback please?
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Grantown on Spey is a small town in an interesting area on the edge of the Cairngorms National Park. It's in area that many visit to see mountains, river valleys and remote walking spots. There are some good RSPB reserves there too, you can visit the osprey centre at nearby Loch Garten. It's also popular as the start of the Speyside Whisky trail and it's possible to drive cross country to Dee side or head north to Inverness and the Moray Firth. An area worth visiting!
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The affiliated site in Grantown is very nice with excellent service pitches. Ours was large enough to fit us on twice. Each has a satellite dish and they will lend you a box, if you don't have your own. Wi Fi is very good and included in the price of the service pitches. I think there is a separate charge if on a standard pitch. The facilities blocks are also excellent. Grantown itself is very pleasant with an excellent butchers, cake shop and Coop within walking distance. A larger Tesco and lots of outdoor shops are available in Aviemore.There is a reasonable bus service from the town. We caught it a few times in various directions, to walk back on the numerous woodland tracks. Good walks are also to be had from the site on the hills behind and in the large Anagach Woods, alongside the Spey.
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Agree that the West Coast is the worse affected areas, I am ok (think that they bite me and die) but my wife gets ill when she is bitten., Avon skin so soft does work, even on the dog ! Big cloud of midges over her, rubbed some into her coat, they all dispersed ! Happy dog....that smells nice.
The thought that the SAS use it in Afganastan to keep the Taliban away is re-assuring. Powerful stuff.
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Photos re a Grantown. Forgot I could now post photos.
- Woodland walk close to Grantown
- Service pitch on affiliated site. My mums shopping trolley very useful for trucking supplies back from the Coop.
- Cairngorms above Aviemore early May
- Highland Moo
- Bit of geomorphology, Roche Moutonne near Grantown.
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That's good Steve, I'll add one too. A view of the Cairngorms from Loch Morlich where Camping in the Forest (C&CC affiliated) have their Glenmore Forest site (we also like Rothiemurchus.) The photo was taken May 31st, so still some snow around.
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Once again. Thanks to you all for replying. A lot of good advice given and thank you for the photo's.
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Hi John,
I come from Aberdeen, I can assure you there are no 'Midgies' on the East Coast.
We go to 'Forfar Lochside site' regularly, its one of the best sites I have been on, brilliant for dog walking around the loch (about 45mins - depending on your pace). Easy walk (5min) into the town and also just a 20 minute drive to Arbroath (famous for kippers and all seafood alike).
Also consider Stonehaven (right on the coast) and Banchory (ideal for visiting Royal Deeside / Balmoral etc).
Granton on Spey (excellent site) is usually 'midge free' outside the summer months.
Hope this helps.
Paul...
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Better still, Huntly Castle AS.
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Basically the midge problem is the West coast North of the Clyde. You can also get blackflies in the West that bite and Avon Soft Skin is generally regarded as the best but any using GEET should also work.
Some people report they have had problems in the West South of the Clyde but I have never had a problem.
The East is generally midge free and there is plenty to see there.
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