I see from the midge forecast that the western Isles are low - is that usually the case? My recollection of a visit to Skye, Harris etc many years ago is that they weren't too bad, but I could've been lucky. Thinking of a trip to Mull next summer...
Anyone who's spent time at Glen Brittle or Sligachan campsites will strongly disagree with that !!!!
The Outer Hebrides are generally quite windy they're less of a problem
I see from the midge forecast that the western Isles are low – is that usually the case? My recollection of a visit to Skye, Harris etc many years ago is that they weren’t too bad, but I could’ve been lucky. Thinking of a trip to Mull next summer…
They struggle to fly in winds above about 5-6 mph. This means that that the most exposed of the islands can be much better than you might otherwise expect. I suspect that some parts of Mull may be sufficiently sheltered to let them thrive. A still dry day on Skye is a rare thing - but it will certainly have midges in June-August.
I don't think we can blame grouse moor for midges as anyone who has stood still for more then 5 seconds on the heavily forested east side of Loch Lomond or Leanachan Forest at the Nevis range will attest.
They struggle to fly in winds above about 5-6 mph. This means that that the most exposed of the islands can be much better than you might otherwise expect. I suspect that some parts of Mull may be sufficiently sheltered to let them thrive. A still dry day on Skye is a rare thing – but it will certainly have midges in June-August.
Ta! I did a fair bit of walking in the Cuillins (including routes from Sligachan and Glen Brittle), as you say there were midges, but not the huge swarms in the photos on this thread. I'll probably book a house in Tobermory, just wanted to know if I'm likely to be savaged the moment I open the front door.
Pretty sure the swear filter would explode if the true Scots for midgies was ever spoken!
Are they particularly bad this year?
Yes, Largs and the areas around have been utterly infested, there are midges in plenty of places you wouldn't normally find them.
Seemingly low atmospheric pressure can force them down, there have been loads of swallows down from the hills anyway so they're feeding on something.
epicyclo
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Depends on where you are.
Also depends when, if ye get caught when they are hatching or have just hatched, you are basically f'd.
I'd a glorious evening camping down by the leadhills a couple of weeks ago. pretty much none. I even didn't bother putting my inner tent and just pulled the sleeping bag over the top of me.
Nearly a silly mistake, cause that could have been nasty morning if they were bad! 😆
I live 1,000ft up a glen on Speyside amidst grouse moors - luckily few midges here as there usually a wind of some description. If I went down to the forest at the bottom of the glen, I'd get chewed alive.
There's two types of midge attack.
One where you wonder when you're going to die.
One where you hope you're going to die.
I hate them. It’s my least favourite thing about having moved to Scotland. It means we often avoid going away in the summer.
They’ve been bad at home this year and that’s a little seaside town not far from Glasgow.
just returned from dumfries and galloway, sunny and hot every day and not a single midge. I kept checking my GPS to make sure I was actually in Scotland.
North East and Northumberland it’s definitely “Midjee“
IME They’re really never that bad in Aberdeenshire - till you get nearer Braemar way.
And it’s mij-ee, nae Mij!
Mij is the correct pronounciation.
Mijs is plural.
Commoners and peasants may use the 'mijee' or 'mijees' variations. These are both regional slang and should be avoided.
Having said that, posh people may sometimes use these variations when doing impressions of commoners, or after alcohol consumption.
In a Scots accent, there is no difference in sound between midges and midgees, it's only different in the singular, which as said many times, never happens.
Growing up in Forres they were never very bad until you went inland and West a bit. I remember Glen Affric being grim one summer with them. However by far the worst I've ever seen was at the Kielder 100 briefing in 2011 (I think). Also bad for the actual ride. I looked like I had some Victorian skin disease the next day.
Maybe the answer is to wear a kilt. 🙂
Any volunteers?
Isn’t the midge the National Bird of Scotland?
