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Original poster

Any tips on travelling to the highlands?

43 replies

GoodMorrowFairMaiden · 29/07/2021 10:04

I’m scared of the midges ive now heard so much about but we’ll buy some repellant. Can anyone suggest any that work well?

We’re staying not too far from Inverness. Any must see places that people can recommend?

OP posts:
Mrsjayy · 29/07/2021 10:25

Skin so soft spray by Avon or Deet are the best repellents all the camping shops sell Deet. Inverness is great for seeing Dolphins have a Google of the best points.

Mrsjayy · 29/07/2021 10:28

Midges are not a huge issue at Loch Ness or near the sea, take antihistamines with you as well as repellant.

Biscusting · 29/07/2021 10:30

Smidge also works well.

Mydogsbetterthanyourdog · 29/07/2021 10:33

Inverness isn't that bad for midges, it's more the west coast so really depends where about your staying.
But Avon skin so soft works well for them though

SweatyBetty20 · 29/07/2021 10:36

Smidge Smidge Smidge Smidge Smidge Smidge Smidge Smidge
Smidge Smidge Smidge Smidge Smidge Smidge Smidge Smidge
Smidge Smidge Smidge Smidge Smidge Smidge Smidge Smidge
Smidge Smidge Smidge Smidge Smidge Smidge Smidge Smidge
Smidge Smidge Smidge Smidge Smidge Smidge Smidge Smidge
Smidge Smidge Smidge Smidge Smidge Smidge Smidge Smidge
Smidge Smidge Smidge Smidge Smidge Smidge Smidge Smidge

Wakip · 29/07/2021 10:40

Smidge is a good brand for keeping away the midges, but Inverness isn't too bad when it comes to midges. If you're going hiking in the countryside or anything like that make sure to have a tick remover, I have one of the credit card types.
When I go down to the big city Wink I just do all the supermarkets that don't exist further up, so I can't advise on the tourist stuff. Grin

NoYOUbekind · 29/07/2021 10:43

Smidge. Don't be fannying around with Skin So Soft, it's never worked for me. It's all about the Smidge.

Go to Loch Ness. The Harry Potter viaduct thingy is worth seeing if you're fans, I wouldn't necessarily make a detour if not.

kittykarate · 29/07/2021 10:45

Smidge. Definitely worked better than skin so soft for me.

Make sure you have some bite/sting relief cream because it's guaranteed you'll miss a bit with the repellent and the little bastards will find it!

I didn't find Inverness too midgey (it was a bit breezy) but as soon as you get out of the cities the little buggers wait in ambush.

Toolateplanting · 29/07/2021 10:56

I came to say what sweaty Betty says!
Cromarty is lovely. Dolphin watching?

Ulysses · 29/07/2021 11:02

Just not long back from a week in Inverness and we did a cruise on the Ness which the adults thoroughly enjoyed, kids less so. Fort Augustas from Inverness is a great drive following Loch Ness down the way. We went to Cairn Gorm as well, you can drive up to the car park - beautiful views. Dornoch beach was great.

Howshouldibehave · 29/07/2021 11:02

I’ve never suffered with bites up near Inverness to be honest and I seem to get them particularly badly usually.

Re sprays-either something with Deet in or Smidge. I have repeatedly seen people try to persuade others to use that Avon crap as a substitute for insect repellent-but really, don’t bother. You will smell vile and insects will take no notice-it isn’t an insect repellent and unsurprisingly doesn’t work as one. I suspect MLM Avon reps are keen to perpetuate the myth though!

Inverness is lovely- have a good trip. The castle is great as is Culloden and Fort George. Oh, and Loch Ness!

AvaCallanach · 29/07/2021 11:03

Midges worse on the other coast.
However you Must be tick aware. Do tick checks every night and take a tick remover. Avoid bare arms and legs when walking in grass and stick to the paths.

There's a cool castle near Golspie. We saw dolphins at Chanonry Point and salmon leaping up river in a grassland nearby.

Ulysses · 29/07/2021 11:05

Went to Cromarty too - didn’t see any dolphins but it was lovely. The ice cream shop closed at 4pm which didn’t go down well with kids when we turned up at 4.10pm!

Original poster
GoodMorrowFairMaiden · 29/07/2021 11:06

Ok I’ll get some smidge Grin and sting relief and tic remover Shock
Loch Ness and dolphin watching will be amazing. Dcs are into wildlife and we’re hoping to see some birds of prey too.

OP posts:
Toolateplanting · 29/07/2021 11:27

Not on commission honest but smidge do a good hook shaped tick remover, I prefer it to the credit card ones.

user1495884211 · 29/07/2021 11:30

Chanonry Point to see the dolphins - you have to go at the right tide to see them as they catch fish close to the shore.

Mrsjayy · 29/07/2021 11:31

OK take smidge Grin

Highland wildlife park is about an hourish from Inverness its a nice day out.

QueryA · 29/07/2021 11:32

depends a bit what you are into? And what age the kids are (if you have them) How far might you want to drive in a day? And a bit what the weather is like.....

If into history then you can go to culloden battlefield, and Fort George, and Urquhart castle (though very touristy and quite expensive)

If you just like pootling around, then a trip down the south side of loch ness to Dores, there is a nice wee beach with views down the length of the loch and the Dores inn is nice (at least it was, I haven't been in a while). A trip round the Black Isle with a stop at channory point to try and see dolphins, and then maybe a walk up the fairy glen at Rosemarkie. Theres quite a nice beach there too. And then along to Cromarty.

If you like hills then a trip to Aviemore and drive up to ski car park at cairngorm is nice. You can walk up to the Green Lochy (lochan uaine) is a nice length. Or hire bikes. Aviemore is ridiculously busy at the moment but it's still nice. You can go along speyside on the way back and visit a distillery?

BashfulClam · 29/07/2021 11:35

Go to Urquhart castle, watch the 5 minute information film as you won’t regret it, the ending is phenomenal. I love Inverness and I’m a bit jealous. Have never been mothered by midges there, I live in the west coast and never really get that bothered. I was in the highlands on Saturday and something bit my shin enough to draw blood but was pretty much midge free.

ditalini · 29/07/2021 11:38

We've seen dolphins both times we've visited Fort George so look out for them if you're going there, but Chanonry point is a great place for them.

BashfulClam · 29/07/2021 11:38

Do you live in Scotland as a historic Scotland membership is well worth it for free entry? If not and English Heritage membership is accepted. The English National trust has a reciprocal agreement that you can use your membership here too. You may find you have to book places 24 hours in advance too.

Timetoreflect · 29/07/2021 11:39

I’ll be in the Cairngorms mid sept, will midges be a problem then? I’ve been twice before in April and August and never had a prob.

BarbaraofSeville · 29/07/2021 11:45

If you're driving up the A9, plan on stopping at the House of Bruar just north of Pitlochry. It really is quite something, but it does have a very nice cafe and food hall. Plus there's really much else in the area unless you start going into towns off route.

www.houseofbruar.com/

ICouldHaveCheckedFirst · 29/07/2021 11:51

Another vote for Smidge, from a lifelong midge magnet.
Avon changed their SSS formula a while back, I believe.
Also, an anti histamine cream.
There are clegs around this year too (horse flies) as well as midgies.

SweatyBetty20 · 29/07/2021 11:58

I think, like the previous poster said, that Avon have removed the midge repellent active ingredient from SSS. I have nothing to back this up other than I seem to remember “reading it on the internet” somewhere.