Midges in Scotland...

[Urban Rider]

All,

A few of us from Darn Sarf are planning a little soire up to the west coast of Scotland starting on the 2nd May for 8 days of camping and touring.

Most people we've mentioned this to have replied with the comment "hope you're prepared for the midges".

Now I normally get eaten alive and after some research have seen that the now famous highland midges are particularly nasty. I was, however, under the impression that in May (the beginning of) we would be okay as it would be too early in the season for them to be around....

Wanted to know what the experts thought so I thought you lot would know....

So, is early May a bad time for midges or would we be ok..

 

[AdamA]

Shouldn't be a problem that early.
I normally go up on the BH weekend at the end of may and never had a problem yet.

 

[Farmer Palmer]

Shouldn't be a problem either!

What I've noticed lately is that although the west is particularly bad with midges they're even biting here in the south east of Scotland......!
FP.

 

[Packer]

If the remainder of March and April is warm (for Scotland that would be around 12-15C) there will be some midgies about but not a lot. It's only the pregnant females that bite so they shouldn't be too much of an issue as it takes a while for them to develop their sabre teeth.

Avon Skin so Soft works as repellant for some unknown reason, I'm told that even the Marines on exercise use it so if you can stand smelling of something apart from beer, fags and engine oil you shouldn't get bitten too badly.

 

[(RIP) Kaister]

midges are only a problem when it stops raining or snowing or hailing or blowing a gale or.....

hardly worth worrying bout

 

[ricardo]

They don't fly very fast, so keep above 30mph and you'll be fine.

 

[Ravenbyrne]

I remember doing Applecross last year,

Stopped me moto to relieve myself ........ this I regretted very much .

So if you need to go, think first

Enjoy your trip

 

[stephenth]

Midge Forecast.

You might be in luck - the Midge Forecast for Scotland (here) doesn't start until May.
Anyway - as others have said - they aren't an issue if it's a howling gale, torrential rain, blizzard or - 15 degrees (or all four) - so you'll be OK in May.

 

[west coast traveller]

Midges in May

You'd be very unlucky to get attacked by the dreaded midge in May. They usually start getting carniverous and hungry around here beginning to mid June. Having said that, didn't see a one till August last year-it must have had something to do with the great summer we had starting in April!
They say that May is the best time to visit for the good weather. Others may say something different...........
You'll have a great time whatever.

 

[thauma]

Normally I'd say you'd be OK in May.......... but now you've let them know you''re heading North they'll be prepared for you

 

[blues n twos]

Have been on to the Avon website so should be ok

Jon onyack

 

[strimstrum]

I've had some great biking hols in Scotland - all of them in May, all of them rain free !! and all of them midge free and I'm talking right up to the very top and down again.

 

[Uinneag]

Yogi Bears the man to ask




***edit*** Thought it said Midgets

 

[boatman]

Yogi Bears the man to ask




***edit*** Thought it said Midgets

now ! now! yer maj ye canna extract fae the couple thir married noo a beeleeve!

 

[Zundapp]

Today it's almost warm and slightly moist.

And there's a cloud of hunners of the bstrds in my back gairden.

 

[yamonda1]

I was always the one to get eaten by midges or mozzies but now I take garlic pearl a day at breakfast and no problems at all from the buggers, stood me well in India, RSA and Russia but not sure about the Highlands though ...

 

[mac163]

Midges and Avon

Here is the link to the Avon site for the Skin so soft. The Marines and SAS recommend it.
Should be OK in May - enjoy the ride - well worth it!!
Cheers
Mac
http://avonshop.co.uk/shop/product...._id=4982&level=3&boutique_dept_id=&find_spec=

 

[(RIP) Kaister]

urban legendary boollox i'm afraid

http://www.snopes.com/oldwives/skeeters.asp

 

[Big Lee]

I`ve got to say that I`m not into putting insect repellant on me if I can get away with it, I use a midge net instead and wear a hat underneath it to keep it away from my face. The old Tilley hat is perfect for that!
BTW DON`T get a mosquito net, the holes are too big and the midges fly through them DAMHIK

 

[Packer]

urban legendary boollox i'm afraid

http://www.snopes.com/oldwives/skeeters.asp

Study done on mosquitos so completely irrelevent. We are talking about the Scottish Highland Sabre-toothed midge. They come in many sub species with, so I'm told, the Skye Midge being the worst of all.

They all only fly at around 3-4 mph so winds of 5mph or over pretty well keep them grounded.

Alternatively do as the red deer do, go high up the mountains to escape them.

Of course all the camp sites and pubs are in the valleys.