Scotland's MIDGES! (1 Viewer)

[69473]

Can't see us heading into Europe this summer with infection rates increasing and slow vaccine take up, thought about trying the NC 500 in August but after a little research watching YouTube from last year it looks like hell on earth.
Can anyone recommend any areas in Scotland that should be midge free in August, more remote the better.
Many thanks

 

[Gellyneck]

East coast tends to be less of an issue but still there.
Have a look here https://www.smidgeup.com/midge-forecast/

 

[monzer]

Go East young man, go East.

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[69473]

Really wanted to try Clachtoll Beach Campsite in Lochinver looks fantastic

 

[TinaLes]

Scotland midge free in August?
Touring The NC500 after lock down in 2021
Sorry you made me spit my cornflakes out laughing at both suggestions as if the midges dont get you, the packed out NC500 roads & campsites will. As for wilding, you will be lucky too find a spot that not known the world over as it will be on Park4nite as we discovered. Best time to tour Scotland is early spring or after late Sept for traffic & Midges.
Midge season in Scotland is normally from mid May to late Sept, its worse inland by the lochs, especially in The Trossachs region(loch Lomond)
Info sites like these are always useful
Les

What to do about midges? Our top tips to avoid midges

Midges have a reputation which far outweighs their size. Read on for tips on how to avoid midges during your vacation in Scotland

scotmountainholidays.com

 

[bigwood]

It’s not a midge app we need as TinL said it we will need an app to tell us what roads are choked and when the NC500 is full.
Management is very prone to being bit by flying or crawling wee beasties. I use her as an early warning for midges.

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[martin2603]

East Coast The Black Isle. Fortrose.

 

[PJGWiltshire]

We went North last July into early August last minute trip. We had two weeks of fantastic weather and managed to get to Skye. (Outstanding) We only encountered them from Fort William upto Skye. During the day when the breeze was up had no issues with the midges. Around 4 - 5 pm when the wind dropped and the calm conditions settled they came out. My god it was awful. Recall one evening parked up in a small lay-by picnic spot just being forced into the van by them when four girls drove up and set up their tents and started cooking . They had to put on net hoods to cook and feed themselves, unbelievable. So if you do go it will be horrid if they are about.
We did not venture North from Skye as reports of NC 500 gridlock was on all the radio.

 

[Pappy]

Really wanted to try Clachtoll Beach Campsite in Lochinver looks fantastic

Beautiful area. Last time I was there a mother and calf harbour porpoise kept going past as I was fishing off the rocks. Also seen otters there. Suilvan is a fantastic, if hard, walk if that's your thing. Open so generally a breeze which keeps away the midges. Not a major issue on site. Use avon skin so soft or smidge.

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[SuperMike]

Owned by an RVOC member and his lady wife, a very nice little site, midge free, with a loverly food serving pub just outside and a super strawberry seller in the car park.

Five Roads Caravan Park

Caravan, motorhome, RV, tent camping pitches, pod and holiday home available all year round!

5roads.co.uk

 

[WESTY66]

Check out West Beach Caravan park in Hopeman between Lossiemouth and Burghead, fantastic little site

This was our pitch there last September, saw dolphins, seals and a Basking shark

 

[bilM]

This is hector the midge likes the English and has lots pals

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[Northernraider]

Im Scottish and you wouldn't get me up the highlands between end of april and end of august ....not a chance and this year it will be even worse than last year i can guarantee it. Locals with pitchforks out at all the wildspots after last years mess ...and tha campsites will be heaving.

 

[Wee Bold Davy]

Hadrian was kicking himself after building the wall. Totally unnecessary way of keeping the English out of Scotland

 

[Googlebot]

ambulancekidd has a great thread here.

Broken Link Removed

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[ambulancekidd]

Broken Link Removed

ambulancekidd has a great thread here.

Broken Link Removed

Ahh you just beat me to it lol.

My laptop has had a wee hissyfit, but the advice is all there.

 

[Grumpyfrog]

Hadrian was kicking himself after building the wall. Totally unnecessary way of keeping the English out of Scotland

The midges do a fine job.
The wall was not necessary.

 

[scotzsue]

not read through, but we were never bothered with midges when my uncle smoked his absolutely foul pipe, no idea what was in it. mum used to sy he filled it from the midden. farmer for the uninitiated where the cow poo was kept.

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[69473]

Thanks for all your replies very much appreciated.
Confirm my fears, decided to stay south of the boarder and make the best if it around the Yorkshire dales and Lake District.
Still a little defeated that our trip to the continent will not happen, however counting our blessing we are safe and well.

 

[Ikonix853]

I would say just come North, forget the midges as all you need is Whiskey Scenery is fantastic & midges can be dealt with by either getting so drunk you don't mind or citronella candles and pray for a breeze!

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

 

[TinaLes]

Thanks for responding, so many newish guys dont bother, I think you have made a wise choice, but dont let it spoil your tour of The Highlands, just do it next year before end of April or after mid Sept you should be fine if you get lucky with the weather. As said The East Coast is better, the midges dont like the wind so much
Happy Travels.
LES

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[Wikky]

It must have been diabolical wearing a kilt and having to put up with hordes of midges.

 

[Pausim]

Get a midge proof head net. They can also be adapted for use under the kilt but care has to be taken when tightening the fit.

 

[Gellyneck]

It must have been diabolical wearing a kilt and having to put up with hordes of midges.

but we aren't softy suvenners!

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[Wikky]

but we aren't softy suvenners!

You being racist?

 

[Gellyneck]

You being racist?

Racist! If you wur tae see ma photae yid see am designed fur cumfurt no speed! A couldnae race a slow worm!

 

[Garfields]

Most of the time the midges are not much of a problem
Its just the odd bad day that scars people
You just need to learn to live with them
If it was not for the midges everywhere would be covered with holiday lodges etc

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[James-Alex]

Hope to head Scotland way oneday. Maybe in a few years when it’s not busy

 

[bobnick]

Any Scottish camp site owners or site workers know how booking are going up there towards the NC500 in the summer?

Friend of mine is doing the NC500 in August on a motor bike. I've wished her the best of luck, she is camping in one of those canvas things........think they call them tents.

 

[Wikky]

I've been looking at doing NC500 on my mbike and trailering it behind the mh. However I'll go out of season to avoid midges and tourists.

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