Scotland and Midges etc

We use citronella for midges but here in the far.north it is usually too windy. But it is a long way to come for just a few days, though lots of people just drive round the NC500 and then go home without doing any exploring. The weather is glorious at the moment!

We shoot on northern grouse moors in August, the midges are fierce.

Lemon eucalyptus oil is the only thing that works for us.

It’s cheap and effective.

Midgie season can last into September but they are generally a west coast phenomenon, so stay East of the Great Glen and you should be fine! Edinburgh, St Andrews, Dundee, the Angus Glens....

As for Scotland being a large country. There's a lovely restaurant on the west coast of Skye called The Three Chimneys. When we were there the owner was telling us they sometimes get people from Edinburgh trying to book a table for lunch on the same day. Its a 5 hour drive

Smidge is a great product to keep the little blighters away. You can buy it online.

The main concern is ensuring you do not discover a tick attached to you,!! Most are not infected- but some are! Ticks of course are not just in Scotland . If you do have a tick , I suggest you visit a GP , with luck you will be prescribed antibiotics as a precaution. Believe me Lyme Disease is a serious matter . Take care cover up well when walking in long grass . Don't wish to appear alarmist but my son had Lyme Disease , not diognosed - he was on antibiotics for 3 months , prescribed too late. He was poorly but fortunately escaped reasonably unscathed. An infected person needs antibiotics immediately. Sorry to rant , but this post is purely to warn and protect people. We love. Scotland , both the highlands and the South West - Dumfries and Galloway . Go regularly but also take care and cover up on walks . Enjoy your holiday.

I have always gone to Scotland sometime in May, no problems at all, but then I also use (no matter what country am in) Avon
So soft dry oil spray and am rarely bothered by any insect bite.
It’s just a great product for the skin anyway.

May and September are great months to explore Scotland.
Unless you are camping at a wooded waterside in the Summer months you shouldn't be bothered by midges.
famous last words

The Western Highlands are stunning as are any of the Islands.
Dumfries and Galloway, East Lothian, the Black Isle and Speyside.
Look at visitscotland.com and NTS.
It's a big country!
I met a motorcyclist from Essex at a campsite on Skye in July who announced that ?

Stock up on Avon Skin so Soft dry oil spray. Used by many of us in Scotland (including the army when on manoevres I am told). For some reason midgies don't like you when wearing it.
p.s. I have no connection to Avon!

Midge season is pretty much over. Scotland is such a huge place you’ll be spoilt for choice. We’ve just come back from Kintyre on the west coast - beautiful beaches, walks,
islands such as Gigha, Arran, Mull to explore, whiskey distilleries to visit. We also love Skye and the Northern Isles.