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If you choose a site in eastern Scotland, or in Dumfies & Galloway in the south west, you should not be bothered with midges.

Dingwell & Moray Firth. The pretty side is the west but your pay for it with the midges As Bernie47 says east side is better. Not free completely as anywhere where there are trees or water brings biters. Like anywhere. but no where near as much as the Middle to  Western side up & down it. Mind you if you choose as site on the east then travel to the west to see it as we do, now that is not to bad.

Scotland's secret weapon is not secret anymore

Quote: Originally posted by beanpark on 13/4/2012

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Dingwell & Moray Firth. The pretty side is the west but your pay for it with the midges As Bernie47 says east side is better. Not free completely as anywhere where there are trees or water brings biters. Like anywhere. but no where near as much as the Middle to  Western side up & down it. Mind you if you choose as site on the east then travel to the west to see it as we do, now that is not to bad.

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I assume you mean Dingwall on the Cromarty Firth.

Most sites on the coast are relatively midge free because midges do not like wind, but this is not always the case.

That's right the very one.

The one at Oban ccc club site is absolutely terrible for midgses they seem to get stuck within the walled site as it is and stay going round & round sucking everyones blood. The site mgrs a couple fo years ago  and maybe still do. Had  a pith helmet and a mesh netting all over her face  and shoulders to stop them.

But there was a site closer to the sea and yes the salty air they do not seem to like.So they seemed okay but not many on got on there.

 Nice to go to Oban though loved the area, also Fort William. The sealife centre had  a massive dangerous jellyfish in this big drop water tank just inside the entrance. The were facinating as they looked as it they had little lights all around them like an alien spaceship. Loved it there and very educational.When we go again we will stay on the East coast & travel West, as they eat me alive. Unless I put a mossie net all over me draped like a ghost will look great yes? enough to frighten everyone.

We would like to find some more sea side ones for that very reason but do need EHU as well. Culzean we got bitten at, but decided to go back a later time and got away with having not too many.

Quote: Originally posted by Bernie47 on 13/4/2012

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If you choose a site in eastern Scotland, or in Dumfies & Galloway in the south west, you should not be bothered with midges.

 

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Try and find a site where there's usually a bit of a breeze and avoid inland lochsides and trees. If you have a known reaction to bites, take piriton or the like for a while in advance; I'm told upping Vit B intake in advance also does but not tried that.  Skin So Soft deters them.  If you're sitting around a charcoal BBQ enjoying a drink after, try putting citronella tea lights on the dying embers - we've found this quite successful.

Best thing I found was a citronella gel stick (safe in tent) - never got them inside even with door open; it also used to let you sit in your car in the middle of a midge-infested forest with the windows open and none in the car.  Can't get it anymore. 

These are great for midges. Yes you look a bit of a prat in them but at least you won't be inhaling midges! They're about £5 from outdoor shops (these came from Cotswold Outdoors I think).

Skin so Soft doesn't seem to deter them much but they die on your skin as soon as they come into contact with it so it has its uses!

If you're planning on walking when you're up there I'd strongly recommend investing in a pair of tick tweezers too. It's the one bit of kit that I'd hoped I'd wasted my money on but I didn't. I needed them. Yuck!

Finally, don't let the critters put you off. It's an amazing place to camp and I can't wait to go back!

Quote: Originally posted by ficklejade on 14/4/2012

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Quote: Originally posted by Bernie47 on 13/4/2012

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If you choose a site in eastern Scotland, or in Dumfies & Galloway in the south west, you should not be bothered with midges.

 

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You are joking, Bernie??? I've been eaten alive in Dumfries and Galloway

 

Could not agree more.  We stayed at Loch Ken last year and it was one of the worst places we have been for midges.  Would not put us off returning though.

I have to say that I have had major midge attacks from places in both North Yorkshire and The Lake District so the pesky blighter does get about!!

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Don't let the blighters get you down. My parents kept a van as a seasonal in Ardgarten near Arrochar and they swore by "SHOO" I'm not sure if its online only! They also used the electric mossie / midge plug ins and they seemed to work.

Go and have agreat time!