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Hi everyone

I would love to try scotland this year for our main holiday as we seem to have done most of the uk, it is only the thought of the scottish midgy that puts us off but I have read on here before about one side of scotland being less bothered than the other hope someone can shed some light on this subject

Dawn

There is some information on the scottish midges on the website below along with a midge forecast. Unfortunately, the forecast doesn't start until May again. From the description, it looks as though there is an interactive map which will show you where the midges are at there worst, though I would imagine, like the weather forecast, it will only operate a few days ahead at a time. If I were to make a suggestion, it would be to try and get there before May. If there is no need for the midge forecast, then there probably aren't many midges.http://www.midgeforecast.co.uk/2008/ 

If you stick to the coast you will be less bothered by them however be prepared inland especially around Lochs they thrive there! Although they can be a pest there are loads of remedies if they bother you, some people are lucky! Try Avon green skin so soft!

The Scottish midge is not as bad as portrayed in the myths, they can be worse in Kielder in your part of the country.  There were very few midges around Scotland this year, apparently they migrated to the Devon area and the experts reckon that they are likely to stay there because the conditions suit them better.

Generally midges are more prevalent in the west of Scotland, preferring sheltered humid areas, so if you camp on a sheltered site close to a loch and trees then they may be there.  Personally I have worked and camped all over Scotland and have never been bothered by them.

I live on the east coast of Scotland, down near Edinburgh and I can say for a fact that there's no midges here. They're a west coast/northern problem. You really have to be up over the Highland line to be bothered with midges on the east coast and even then it's not half as bad as folk imagine.

If you're really worried about them, try the Scottish Borders instead of the wild north. Beautiful part of the country and not so long a drive.

Quote: Originally posted by alibali65 on 25/1/2009

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All it takes is one midge!! Also down south you get mozzies so I'm not sure which is worse.

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And one midge can do what??? Nibble you to death single-handed? Only if it had a year or two to spare, lol. Wasps are a lot worse.

Midges don't like me so I've never had a problem with them, even when there were literally clouds of them attacking everyone else in sight. (I used to do a lot of botany field trips over west.) They really like the taste of my Hubby's blood though, and he says he's never been bitten by a midge over here on the east coast.

We stay at Blair Castle Caravan Park, last time in a tt and were never bothered by midges there.  We sit in the Athol Arms pub Garden in the evenings and see the midges but i make sure we have all eaten marmite beforehand and have never been bitten.  I find Perthshire the perfect base for exploring Scotland.  We went to Lands End last year and this year i want to go to John O' Groats, though getting the kids to leave Blair Athol is hard as they are so happy there lol

Jeannie