North West Scotland

[chazzpott]

All this talk of holidays in Scotland prompts me to mention that I shall be visiting the far North West, the Isle of Lewis, Skye and the Badenoch area in about 3 weeks time Can anyone give definitive info on when the dreaded midges appear, and when they disappear?? As for protection, I was thinking of buying a Beekeepers suit! Any info gratefully received.

[zan]

the midges are here now and will remain here until the winter (Oct probably). They will be worst on hot, calm days near water, and best (hardly noticeable) on windy days. My advice would be to use Avon skin-so-soft to keep them off you (it's the best stuff and won't burn your skin like DEET), take a midge-net hat if you think you'll be really bothered by them and take anti-histamines (hay fever tablets) for about a week before your holiday and during it if you can. That way, they should stay away because fo the cream, but if they do bite, you won't react half as badly.

Have a cracking holiday - Skye and Lewis are beautiful islands and I hope you don't get too bitten

Zan

[big bill]

Like Zan says they are out now and I dont know why but the West coast always seems to be the worst effected by them I went to Sky last year not a midge in site stopped with family to have a bite to eat and we where the ones being bitten they came from no where and they take no prisoners theres an ad running on our Tv about the Kamikazee midge and its quite comical with the creams and nets .
But have a great holiday and enjoy it the scenary is just out of this world as is the wildlife look forward to seeing your pics on return

[ron1863]

Zan has given you great advice, I'm a smoker and that helps but I would need to be a laboratory Beagle to keep them off all the time. Windy conditions are good as they don't come out and some people react worse than others, my mother is terrible, coming out in bright red spots but they don't really bother me, more annoying than painful.

Good Luck and have a fantastic time.

P.S. Whisky helps to dull the pain at night - taken orally

[Kayleigh]

You need Garlic, like loads on garlic bread, and don't eat anything sweet.

[ron1863]

Originally Posted by Kayleigh

You need Garlic, like loads on garlic bread, and don't eat anything sweet.

That's for vampires, the midges ain't that big

[rlchew]

You are going a beautiful part of the world that I have visited many times .... but you are also going to the land of the dreaded midge which can make you very angry, frustrated and red-spotted!

There is some sound advice here already but I can second Avon Skin So Soft. After many years of visiting the far north, I finally found the solution that I was looking for last year and returned from my trip without the red-spotted look for the first time .

I would also second Ron's suggestion .... whisky is also very good for all sorts of worrying complaints and there are so many to try .

Have an excellent trip and do report back on a midge-free holiday.

Richard

[ron1863]

The way the weather is going you will get bitten alive, midges love warm, damp conditions and we have had rain constantly. As soon as the light starts to fade head for the bar.

[chazzpott]

Well here we are! The original plan was to only visit Lewis and then head back to the mainland (via Tarbert), but the Western Isles are so incredible that I have been exploring them for two weeks now I am writing this in the library in Castlebay on Barra. What an amazing place Barra is The problem is, there is still Mull and Skye to do, and the money and time are running out I have taken shedloads of photos, but I wont be able to post any of them until I get home, whenever that will be A digital camera was purchased just before I left, so hopefully I will be able to share the best shots with everyone at WAB My particular specialities are plants and fungi, and I am amazed at the number of Orchids and insectivorous plants everywhere. They grow like weeds up here. Anyway, there is so much to report on that it will have to wait until I get home. SO, WATCH THIS SPACE. There has not been any trouble so far with midges as the weather has been excrement with only a few sunny days The wind has'nt stopped blowing either, so thats kept them at bay as well

[big bill]

Glad you are enjoying yourself chazzpot and the weather over on the West Coast is not putting you off