Isle of Skye - will I be midged to death?

[attheendoftheday]

Have been deliberating over our main camping trip this summer and quite fancy Skye and Ashaig Campsite. But I'm a bit concerned about midges.

I live in kielder in Northumberland, which is midge central itself, and I have no intention of camping, much as I love it, in conditions that are anything like they get here.

So, has anyone been, and how was it?

[badger21]

We've stayed in a house on Skye, in August. Midges were awful. We got eaten alive just running between car and house.

Hence, I would not even consider camping there in the summer. Not sure at what point in the year they get bad though - but probably at any time when it stops raining.

[Quinteszilla]

Yes, there will be midgets, and they will eat you all up.

[TunipTheUnconquerable]

We were in Skye a few years ago and NO MIDGES.

I have no idea why this was.

I think there is a high probability you'll be midged but it's not inevitable.

[mamij]

We were in Skye a few years ago, and no midges during the day. They all seemed to come out at dusk and were everywhere. No amount of insect repellent would work.

[youmakemydreams]

It's very likely and already been vetoed as our camping spot in early summer. It is all pretty weather dependent I live in the highlands and will go anywhere on a nice damp breezy day. Hot still days will find me hiding in the house.
I for eaten alive last year on one camping trip.

[FromGirders]

My mum used to live in kielder (our old house is now under the reservoir). She testifies to the awfulness of the kielder midge.
Early summer will be fine in skye if you can get there may /june. We camped at dunvegan, in July, it was fine, near the coast always has fewer midges. Avoid camping in Sligachan at all costs. It's a swamp, with the worst midges I've ever met.

[BonaDea]

Surely just take several bottles of Avon Skin So Soft, which is the best midge repellant in Christendom and smells pretty good too.

[attheendoftheday]

Thanks for the responses. I was planning for June, but I'm now in doubt. Our local midges are horrendous, think air so full of midges that you breathe them in, they get in your eyes, skin so soft just doesn't cut it. If there's any chance of midges on that scale on Skye then I definitely don't want to camp!

Maybe I'll save Skye for a trip earlier in the year. Those who said they didn't have midge problems, can I ask what time of year you went?

[Piffpaffpoff]

Can I recommend Smidge midge spray if you go? It's the only thing that's works for me, it's even better than Skin So Soft. I think you have to go by mid June to avoid the little buggers. They are just as you describe them by high summer, clouds around your head etc. Minging!

[whereisshe]

Take up smoking. I went to Skye in August when I used to smoke and although the midges reeeeeeally wanted to bite me they stayed about 10cm away from me and no bites. I had a midge halo.

[Beamur]

I think we have been remarkably lucky - have holidayed several times in the Highlands, camping, in the summer. Skye was fine (didn't like it so much as other places we've been to though) Mull was nowhere near as bad as I'd been led to fear and we stayed in Oban and Gairloch. Gairloch had a fair few though, but not everyday - the campsite is near the beach and if the wind is in the right direction there aren't too many - I recall us hiding in the tent while the nominated chef battled with the bbq and the midges. Will have been July/August as it was during school holidays.

[attheendoftheday]

Taking up smoking seems a little extreme, though I suppose it depends how bad the midges are!

Thank you everyone for the advice.