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If your wife has seen Monty Halls beachcombing programme last wk, the midges were horrendous,I do not believe they are copeable with in any circumastances and with any repellant in the amount seen that night. However we have been caravanning in Scotland for the last 20yrs and the west coast has the wow factor. We tend to stay central and go over to the west when there is a stiff breeze or a sunny forecast. Midges come out when overcast and still, they can completely spoil your experience of the west coast as many of our friends will not go again because of them. Monty Hall is a marine biologist and has been all over the world but says that the west coast of Scotland is the most beautiful place on earth, a sentiment shared by many world travellers (of which I am not) but agree with their assessment. We are planning to go to Scotland in June this year but will need to watch the weather conditions for midge otherwise I personally cannot cope with them. Avon's skin so soft seems to have a good effect for me but nothing ultimately can get rid of them or stop them biting during the months of June July August and September. The locals say that they work with them and stay in when they decend in a cloud as seen on the programme. The West Coast is where I want to be and I will and do persevere until the conditions are right. Obviously we cannot book a site and our daughters back home keep a close eye on the weather for us then ring us if there is high pressure forecast for at least 3 days. We then go adn make our own judgement. It would be a shame if you had a bad experience with the midge and it put you off this glorious, spectacular place. The Monty Hall programme shows you how wonderfull the place is and if you can, see the whole series for the views and way of life.

Regards

Denise.

regards

Denise.  

Thanks to everybody for your replies.....we are not going to the Wset coast now inAugust....with 5 year old twins and a wife to be convinced camping is the way forward it is too much of a risk to put them off camping for life !!!

But I will make it to the West coast, late September or early April (2010 ) probably in a B & B or similar...but thanks again...its a real shame about those pesky midges !!!!

I live in mid Argyll which is possibly the worst place in Scotland for midge's due to the climate.  Everyone here swear's by avon SSS for the midge's(even the hairy forster's all wear it!!) it does work very well, also as said by a previous poster citronella candles do the job too.

I would not let the midge's put you off heading up here, especially if your camping around the coastal area's as their is pretty much always a breeze.  Its the very rare occasion's like Monty in Applecross where they really do make your life a misery and the only way to escape is indoors..

We are heading up to Gairloch and Applecross in the summer with the kid's and to be honest midge's were not even mentioned when we talked about where to go (maybe cause we live with them) it was more the glorious scenery that entice's us up there..

Quote: Originally posted by Tiggarsmum on 05/4/2009

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Midges shouldn't have been too much of a problem had you still been going to  Camusdarach  as according to their website thay have midge eaters installed. Might be worth baring it in mind if you decide to camp at a later date.

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We are heading up to Gairloch and Applecross in the summer with the kid's and to be honest midge's were not even mentioned when we talked about where to go (maybe cause we live with them) it was more the glorious scenery that entice's us up there..

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Jubilee TBA-
July - Blue Dolphin

We've been to west scotland in September and didn't have a midge problem. My fave place is the Lakes too but had my worst experience there, can't remember the month but have never been there in June, July or August.  

It did spoil the holiday though, you couldn't walk in any wooded area or go out after dark as it stirred them up and they came indoors, we were lay in bed being bitten and it flippin comes sharp!