Come between late September and late May If you arrive in Scotland, before the weather has warmed up too much you are unlikely to see many midges. Also if you visit in May or early September, you are also likely to encounter the best weather conditions Scotland has to offer.
Which part of Scotland has the least midges?
In the Inverness and Loch Ness area, most places by the coast and along Loch Ness are pretty much midge free, but in other places like Glen Affric you are more likely to encounter them.
What is the best way to avoid midges in Scotland?
Locals will often say that it is best to avoid the midges rather than trying to keep them away from you. Prevention is better than treatment! You can avoid damp areas, head for higher ground, wear a midge repellent, cover bare skin and wear a midge head net. Alternatively, relax indoors until they’re at bay.
What is the best month to go to Scotland?
The best time to visit Scotland is during spring (late March to May) and fall (September to November). Temperatures are warmer by spring, with averages of 43°F to 59°F, although there will still be snow in the mountains of the Highlands and the Cairngorms.
Where are the most midges in Scotland?
Where do midges live in Scotland? The greatest numbers of midges are to be found in the West Highlands. They tend to live close to their food source, cattle, below 1,500 feet. The east coast of Scotland is relatively free of midges.
What time of year is Scotland midge free?
Come between late September and late May. In the Highlands of Scotland, particularly in the Cairngorms, we can have an early frost in September or a late frost in May. Midges can’t survive a frost. If you arrive in Scotland, before the weather has warmed up too much you are unlikely to see many midges.
Can midges bite through clothing?
Biting activity varies among species but they are most active in day time or near sunrise and sunset. With short mouthparts, biting midges are unable to bite through clothing and so exposed body parts such as hands, arms, legs (when wearing shorts) and the head are most frequently attacked.
What smells do midges hate?
Citronella candles
These are really effective and suit outdoor eating scenarios, picnics and BBQs, although BBQ smoke does a good job of keeping the midges away too. Midges dislike the smell of the candles, so burn a couple at a time to double your chances of keeping them away.
How do you stop midges attacking you?
Insect repellents are an important way of protecting yourself against biting midges. When outdoors use an effective insect repellent if biting midges are active. Insect repellents containing either diethyl toluamide (DEET) or picaridin are the most effective.
What smell keeps midges away?
Citronella, peppermint oil, lavender and eucalyptus can all be used to repel midges by spraying your equipment or surroundings and even diluting for personal use. Citronella candles can be used to prevent midges from closing in on a localised area.
What is the rainiest month in Scotland?
Whilst it rains all year round in Scotland, the wettest periods are autumn and winter. In 2014, 2015 and 2016 winter was by far the wettest season, with volumes reaching 739 millimeters in the latter.
Monthly amount of rainfall in Scotland from 2015 to 2022 (in millimeters)
| Characteristic | Rainfall in millimeters |
|---|---|
| – | – |
What is the cheapest month to go to Scotland?
The cheapest time to travel to Scotland is off season: November 1 to December 12 and December 26 to March 14. In the past few years, airlines have been offering irresistible fares during these periods. And weekday flights are cheaper than weekend fares, often by 10% or more.
How many days are sufficient for Scotland?
We recommend you allow 9 – 10 days in Scotland for a satisfying tour of the country’s diverse scenery and history. A 10 day itinerary, such as the Best of Scotland tour plan, would let you spend: 2 days in Edinburgh walking the historical streets and enjoying the cosmopolitan buzz.
Does Avon Skin So Soft repel midges?
If you want the best protection against midges, Skin So Soft from Avon is the ideal choice. It was originally created as a skin moisturiser, scented with citronella oils. However, outdoor types discovered that as well as keeping skin soft, the product was also highly effective at keeping away midges.
Do you get midges all over Scotland?
The midge is synonymous with Scotland, and not without reason – there is an estimated population of 180,750 trillion in the country. If you are out in the Highlands, you are likely to come across the tiny airborne creatures while in the lowlands, you’re unlikely to have much trouble with midges.
Do you get midges in the highlands?
The Highland Midge is most active in low-light conditions i.e dawn and dusk, or when cloud cover significantly reduces the intensity of the sunlight. Whatever the weather, take your Smidge and midges won’t cloud your day.
Do you get midges on the Isle of Skye?
There’s no such place as a midge-free location on Skye! Between May and September, midges come and go with the time of day and the weather. They are most prevalent in the early morning and the evening. They are also around when there is cloud cover and no wind.
Can midges get in your tent?
If there is a slight breeze, it’s also worth facing your tent into the wind, as midges will shelter behind your tent for protection and you won’t open your tent into a faceful of them! They also can’t fly as fast as you can walk, so if you encounter a midge cloud, the best thing you go do is keep going.
Are there midges in St Andrews?
The town of St Andrews, come to think of it, has a breezy, maritime air about it, and it feels a long way from the Highlands – so midge numbers must be low.
Does eating Marmite keep midges away?
Marmite – Love it or hate it, Marmite has also been known to deter midges. When you eat Marmite, its high content of yeast extract makes your blood less tasty. Chewing garlic also works similarly, but your walking companions may not enjoy it!
What Colour do midges not like?
Something as simple as changing the colour of your clothing could keep midges at bay too. “Midges prefer dark colours as they detect contrasts in colours – dark objects on a light background. Light-coloured clothing can make you less obvious.”