Edinburgh Travel Forum

Best summer month to avoid midgets in Scotland?

I am planning a 3 month England, Wales, Soctland, N. Ireland, and Ireland summer trip (starting in Brighton, and working up the west coast (via Wales). My question is when to arrive in Scotland when the insect problem (midgets) is not as severe? I am planning on a hiking tour of Scotland, and hitchhiking as well. If I know when the best time to visit Scotland is, I'll know to start 3-4 weeks earlier in Brighton. It should take a bout a month to take in SW England, Wales, and NE England (before entering Scotland).

Thanks

First - a midget is a small person. Otherwise known as a dwarf, a vertically challenged person, or person of restricted growth. Other terms are used in Scotland.

The insect you refer to is a midge, or midgie. Basically, June to August are the peak months. The don't like wind or dessiccation so dry, warm windy weather is the best time to do your hiking. Unfortunately, those conditions don't occur that often for any length of time. Use repellant - lots of it. Take antihistamine pills if you react badly to bites.

LOL! Ah, those pesky midgets...

:)

Midge season is June - August, roughly, as stated above, with life getting far more comfortable in September, after the first frost (sadly now often into October).

The best tactic is the be in a breezy location, since the midge is uesless in windy conditions (>4mph winds). Bright sun and dry conditions are not good for them either. Hence why the East of Scotland gets far less midges. Hint.

So, the worst situation is to be hitchkiking in Central or Western Scotland on a still, overcast day in summer, with a light drizzle rain coming straight down in a fine spray (no wind, see). You are unable to move fast enough to create a breeze, so you are midge food. Then you need excellent repellent, humour or to be indoors! Since the roads are mostly in the glens / valleys the shelter can then mean midge attacks.

If it gets really bad anytime, spend the money on a bus ticket, head East, or get your walking boots on and head up hill, high enough to find a breeze!

That all said, it is part of the experience - and yet should not be thought of as so bad as to not come! Some people are ignorant of midge attacks for years. Sadly, I am not so lucky. Mornings and evenings are generally worse. It is only a few days of the year that they are really bad though!

Good luck with your lifts!

BUt the highlands are in the WEST of Scotland, oh well, I will drench myself in DEET.

We were there in May, leaving the first week of June, and did not experience midges. There was quite a bit of rain though.

Better to use Avon's Skin so Soft oil - see this article:

http://heritage.scotsman.com/scotland/Avons-spray-finds-calling-as.2654251.jp

And when the trip is over you can still keep using it or give it as a gift.

Oh, there is excellent walking east of the watershed - try the Cairngorms, still Highlands, second highest peak in Scotland :)