Midges in western Highlands, is it really that bad?

[DomiMik]

Good morning ladies and gentlemen,

I'm planning to visit Scotland next year with my family, we will be based somewhere near Ullapool. Last time we visited Scotland it was late February (and the weather was perfect, by the way), this time we would like to go in early May.

But... we hear and read so many horror stories regarding midges... is it really such a big problem in May already or are people exaggerating?

 

[B21]

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

Like the weather it depends where and when and local weather…May is the start of the season..

Near water, woods, still air, after rain or mist in the wrong place you can get eaten alive in minutes..

More than 5kmph wind no problem…heavy rain no problem…

Ullapool normslly not that bad..

 

[Nodzed]

Yes they can be an issue in July-August but that said we have done Scottish trips 6 or 7 times now and only once had any issue getting swamped waiting in traffic at the Connel Bridge (Falls of Lora) where an E.F.U.P (emergency roof up procedure) was required.

 

[Ianmc]

Midges were a problem in Greece last July within a 5 star resort. Believe Scottish ones are like the haggis with shorter inside legs.

 

[ktnez99]

Midges were a problem in Greece last July within a 5 star resort. Believe Scottish ones are like the haggis with shorter inside legs.

Was there no exclusion zone around your five star hotel for the midges not to fly within/entry/nose drive bomb everyone*?
*some places! Tut, tut

 

[AleNod]

Probably 20 years ago now, we did the Brodick Golf Week on the Island of Arran 5 or 6 times. Always the second week in May. Never saw a midge. Sunny every year except one.

I did however get bitten on the arm by a Cleg once (think it's a horsefly). Saw it on my arm and lifted it to have a better look, so I saw its mouth parts bite me. Holy . . . . That was significant pain. Healthy respect to stay away from those blighters now . . .

 

[shera25]

Early May is usually fine, not as bad as mid-summer. A bit of repellent and long sleeves should keep the midges away.

 

[Stevo7682]

Peter @B21 Has pretty much covered what i would say .
Weather is definitely one of the big factors like this year majority of Scotland had a really dry late winter and spring and there was definitely less midges ( and clegs ( horseflies with attitude) around over the summer months.
May would be a decent choice last 2 or 3 yrs May Weather been reasonably good and as said just at the beginning of midge season.

So if you stay away from places they like and a bit of protection you'll be fine .

The exaggeration isn't.
When they are bad at peak they will eat you alive if your in the wrong place at the wrong time of day.
Stephen.

 

[andyglym]

Did a motorbike camping trip near Loch Lomond in late May a few years ago, brutal, absolutely brutal!! I'd rather fight a lion, it would be over quicker.

 

[B21]

FWIW I've only had two really really bad ones..Gairloch on a drizzly May day and Loch Rannoch also in May...Gairloch was just bad but maybe you could stay out for say 10-15mins..Loch Rannoch was being eaten alive in 90 seconds!

 

[motco]

Jungle Formula Max Strength - 50% DEET seems to work in my experience. Mid summer onwards is the worst time.
Gairloch? I've had many a comfortable holiday there with no midges, but inland along Loch Maree is another matter as is Skye.

 

[Eddie Zedder]

Camped below Ben Nevis in late May years ago and got absolutely slaughtered by the buggers. Been to the Highlands many times since in June July, August, September & October and not had a single bite.

Go prepared for the blighters, get yourself a head net and some Smidge.

 

[Pond]

Only ever travelled around Scotland in late April. It mostly snowed! No midges though.

It was a long time ago....went in my Transit van with a girlfriend and slept in the van. Terrible idea! It was freezing and there was a lot of 'wildlife' that decided sleeping (or whatever they did) under the van was a good idea. Didn't get a wink of sleep in four days!

 

[jimcwestie]

My only bad experience with midges has been very close to the water at Poolewe and Onich on the west coast in July. It was certainly not an experience I would like to repeat.
Jim

 

[KASPar]

Recently did a West Coast run in the MotorHome from Oban, through Glencoe, Fort William, Applecross (overnight) via Bealach na Ba , Ullapool, Poolewe (overnight), Gairloch, Ardvreck castle, Kylesku Bridge, Kinlochbervie on the old quayside (overnight), Balnakeil beach, Sango Sands (overnight x2) during Storm Amy. A few more stops to wander round en route

No midges. Lots of wind, rain, fish, cakes, alcohol

Next time will take 8 weeks and tow the Z3 for days out blasting around. Again Sept/Oct or April/May to avoid the oft reported queues of camper vans, motorcycles, bicycles and car club groups.

 

[DomiMik]

Thanks for all the answers!
What I've concluded from the responses is that we will probably play it safe and postpone our trip a bit. Since we'll likely be spending a lot of time near water, and we have small children with us, a midge-free period is definitely a better solution than mosquito nets and sprays.

 

[Kate and rod]

Yes they can be an issue in July-August but that said we have done Scottish trips 6 or 7 times now and only once had any issue getting swamped waiting in traffic at the Connel Bridge (Falls of Lora) where an E.F.U.P (emergency roof up procedure) was required.

Emergency f##kingroof up procedure is it Nial? I'd be swearing!

 

[mikeyH]

Come to Devon, the only pests we have here are the sea gulls, and then only at the beach

 

[the Nefyn cat]

Or here. Our pests are mostly Ingerlish tourists who think we've never seen cars before.