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So, Im very likly to be spending a week mid-September in the area of Muir of Ord(?) . Can any locals tel me the likelihood of getting eaten alive? Only been to Scotland in Wintertime, so never during midgy season.
Spent a few nights in a forest camping near Aberdyfi once, the midge attack there was horrific but apparently their Northern cousins are much worse. Has anyone tried Smidge? Does it work?
Cheers!
Plan for the worst and hope for the best...
Smidge works, Avon skin so soft works for me but not others.
If they are out they will ruin your holiday...
Not sure on that area, but check the Smidge Scottish midge forecast for an idea.
I've just unfortunately returned from an amazing week up around Glencoe.
Camped right by the river Coe near the Clachaig Inn.
It really wasn't too bad there, but it can and does vary hugely.
We used Smidge a lot, slathering it everywhere and I also used The Smokin Midge. These, along with wearing sensible clothes and camp fires meant that we didn't get too bothered.
A couple of places we went were much worse but it's not an exact thing to predict I don't reckon. A breeze is what you want ideally.
We went up Glen Nevis for example one evening and as soon as you stopped they were on you. Same down the end of Glen Etive where they were really bad as I was putting away my paddleboard stuff.
But yeah, be prepared and you'll be ok.
There was only one night I got bitten and I think I had been a bit casual about getting the Smidge on and covering up so my fault.
Backs of my calves got bitten a lot.
The Pup of Glencoe
I just found a black widow spider on the shoe rack by the front door of where I’m on holiday in Moab. Suddenly I don’t mind midges so much. Please send midges. And badgers. And daddy longlegs. And a flamethrower.
We've just spent the weekend on overnight ride between Beauly and Affric.
We took Smidge and head net, long leg covers too.
Not a midge all weekend.....apart from Dog Falls and the head of the loch. Hoachin' with them.
But it's fine, we got back on the bikes and rode off.
.
Sums things up really - they can be there, but not always, they can be bad, but nets and repellants work, and finally there's 5m of us live in Scotland, so it can't be that bad.
Same down the end of Glen Etive where they were really bad as I was putting away my paddleboard stuff.
there are several factors that can contribute to how bad the midges are - one is theres a two week breeding cycle, so if it was particularly good weather for midges a fortnight ago there'll be a lot aroind, Another is wind - so the start and end of the day when its still can be bad. But the most predictable condition for midges to strike is any moment when you've got both hands full.
Timely thread, just about to head north and forgot to pack the smidge till just now!
I just found a black widow spider on the shoe rack by the front door of where I’m on holiday in Moab.
😱 nightmare fuel. I’m not even that bothered by spiders but that can get in the sea
Yea, Smidge works. See also Lifesystems midge repellant.
I was up in Ayrshire last weekend and found it also works to keep away that other Scottish nightmare, the Horsefly
If you’re going to be out and about then consider a headnet.
Smidge is grand, although the ‘works for 8hrs’ claim is wildly optimistic. I’m just back from camping/trekking for a few days in the Cairngorms with a group, and they weren’t too bad. Based on the forecast, I was picking campsites on the likelihood of catching a breeze, which helps enormously.
It's been a weird year for the midge here in Aviemore. My only encounter so far was last week at Loch an Eilean after a swim. Moving from the trees to the car park was enough to get rid of them while drying off.
On the subject of insect life and repellents, it's worth applying Smidge to your legs regardless just to keep the ticks at bay.
I found Jungle Formula spray to be more effective than Smidge on the West Highland Way last week.
Yeah, we had a LOT of tick action in the highlands last week. Spent time every day checking the dog and ourselves after any little walk.
Hundreds of the buggers.
Ych a fi , ticks!
Got a cool bullet hole looking wound in my leg where I had a tumour removed about 25 years ago. When the y biopsied it, they told me they found one of those in the moddle of it. True or not, I have no idea.
Thanks for the replies so far. Definitely gonna book that break asap then.
Aye...midges...seemed to have been an all year round annoyance these days (or it has over the last 2 years. Winters haven't been cold enough to keep them down (trailbuilding throughout the winter and they haven't stopping nipping).