Midges in Scotland (1 Viewer)

MrsBB

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Have read loads of threads about midges in Scotland and various preventatives and remedies. What I can't find is specific info about best times to visit to avoid them. We are thinking of going round the coast of Scotland starting going east first during August. Do we need certifying as mad?? As usual all advice will be gratefully received. If there's a better time we can plan it for next year instead...... just want to avoid being eaten alive !
 

Anthea M

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We use Avon skin so soft. Campsites in Scotland were selling it!!

Edit the green one is the one to use .
 

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I think it is called Bugbuster but it is a cream sold online by Napiers of Edinburgh

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Anthea M

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We used the pink but the green was the one on sale in the campsites I think.

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MrsBB

MrsBB

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Are we mad to go in August? Should we go at another time next year to minimise midge problem?
 

Anthea M

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Anthea, Psychological I think in your mind cos that one doesn't work. Its only the blue /green one APPARENTLY
We were near the sea and it was windy so perhaps there weren't any then!!
I've tried to delete the photo so as not to confuse!

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Feb 24, 2013
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Are we mad to go in August? Should we go at another time next year to minimise midge problem?

we have been told and it seems to work out right

midges do not fly if wind speed above 5mph

midges do not like hot sun

midges do not fly I the rain

we were in Scotland in August last year, one location we have been to may time before at different times of the year was just too bad to get out of MH

We stopped at Kinlochewe CC site years ago when caravanning and when we asked about midges were told you are normally alright till June, we arrived on the 30th May and were fine for 2 days had to leave on the 1st June they came out so badly

we also learnt on that site to avoid water and bushes and especially the 2 together

no repellants have done it for us, although we do have best success with Jungle Formula roll on

plus keep an eye on midgewatch as suggested above (smidgeup) they also make smidge another repellant
 

Khizzie

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The other two things to be aware of are a fishy female and a male. They run around mountains screaming ref2 ref2 all the time , most Scots have become used to this ranting and tend to ignore it .but it can be a bit boring to many visitors.lol I. Shall be there in June / July bugger the midges and i have really good earplugs for the fishes. Lol.
 

philw111

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starting going east first
That is a really good idea. We live on the north-east coast and have never been bothered at home by the little devils! When on the west coast we have used both Avon and Smidge products and they mostly worked for us (you'll always get the odd suicidal insect that will get through anything)

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pappajohn

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It has been known for some campsites in the west have had to close due to excessive midge populations.
The heaviest populations are in the wests damp and humid area, less so in the east but can still be bad.

Starting in the spring there are midge forecasts available on the internet.
Just Google smidge forecast.

Only the females bit but I defy you to tell male from female when they're buzzing around your head..... :D
 
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MrsBB

MrsBB

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Well no one has actually said we're mad but we've got the drift! Thanks as always to everyone at our one stop advice shop!
 

RandallC

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Reading between the lines: there isn't a good time to avoid the midges unless you up to your ---------- Knees in snow.

Have wondered what's the best time to visit with out snow but cant quite get a definitive answer... Good Luck

And

Keep us posted!

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hilldweller

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Try the Hilldweller Method. Get a good supply of prime Aberdeen Angus. Place about a kilo 2 metres from where you want to sit. Sit keeping an eye on the beef. When it is about two thirds gone, around ten minutes, top it off with the next piece. Whatever you do don't let it go below one third left, they are greedy buggers and will go looking for a bigger portion, you.

The only other alternative involves scuba diving equipment.
 

RandallC

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Try the Hilldweller Method. Get a good supply of prime Aberdeen Angus. Place about a kilo 2 metres from where you want to sit. Sit keeping an eye on the beef. When it is about two thirds gone, around ten minutes, top it off with the next piece. Whatever you do don't let it go below one third left, they are greedy buggers and will go looking for a bigger portion, you.

The only other alternative involves scuba diving equipment.

Sir you deserve a commendation. I don't think like or funny quite hit the spot. cheers
 

hilldweller

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Sir you deserve a commendation. I don't think like or funny quite hit the spot. cheers

You think I'm joking ? One a day, on my bike, I stopped to admire Loch Lomond, full bike kit, just took my helmet off. It took 6 weeks of reconstructive surgery before my wife recognised me, I looked like the Elephant man.

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RandallC

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You think I'm joking ? One a day, on my bike, I stopped to admire Loch Lomond, full bike kit, just took my helmet off. It took 6 weeks of reconstructive surgery before my wife recognised me, I looked like the Elephant man.

No Joke. Just recognition of your eloquence
 

newroader

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Eat loads of Marmite apparently - recommended by a lass called Nicola. Up there all through May and only got hit by a few of the wee beasties on Skye.

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You see the Females fly by your window with a bloodless Goat in their claws., Easy to recognize the Male, they are the ones with small scissors cutting access through your Fly screen for the females

There is a cure to the Midge problem. Tiz a bit drastic, surfis to say there ain't no midges in Hirosima or Nakasaki.
 

pappajohn

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Go anytime...as long as there's a really stiff breeze or its raining.
They don't like either.
Don't forget, a single raindrop is maybe 10X bigger than a smidge....and a lot heavier.
And imagine trying to fly a toy balsa wood glider in a 200mph wind...now scale it down to smidge size.
 

pappajohn

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Avon 'skin so soft' is reputedly used by rufty tufty SAS soldiers on training exercises in Scotland.

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klaatu

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More bats are what we need, apparently. I was reading only yesterday that a single bat can eat 3,000 midges in one night.
 
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When I was a child my parents took me to Scotland every summer in touring caravan and I used to get eaten alive, in later life I found a cure for the problem DO NOT GO in the summer.
 

spitfire

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Take garlic tablets for s month or two before going and when there , It seems the garlic comes out on the skin and they don't like !!

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