Any tips on travelling to the highlands?

[GoodMorrowFairMaiden]

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?

Landmark adventure park is a good day out for all ages as well. Our 10/11/13/14 year olds all loved it.

Also, an anti histamine cream.
There are clegs around this year too (horse flies) as well as midgies.

Those are buggers !

Oh, what?? 😳
Clegs sound awful.

Thanks for all the recommendations. We don’t mind driving a couple of hrs for a day trip on a couple of days and being more local on the rest.
Dcs are fine with most things and love wildlife. We’re hoping for good weather.

Midges can't hack a stiff breeze - windy places are best.

If you're heading up the A9 the Ralia Cafe just before Newtonmore is an excellent place to stop for a quick wee and a coffee.

If your kids are into birds of prey then there is a red kite centre in Arpafeelie on the road to Ullapool.

Also ospreys at Loch Garten

Have a lovely time x

Definitely Landmark for the kids - my DS loves it. Varying heights of rope trails, roller coaster, water slides… it’s a really good family day out

Checking in for a midge report ... @GoodMorrowFairMaiden please let me know as I'm going next month. I have antihistamines, bug repellent, and bite cream.

We are going to Cromarty, boat trip on moray firth and Inverness

Fort George is amazing. Caledonian Canal.
Helmsdale for fish and chips.
The Glen's inland from Brora and Helmsdale are beautiful and we always see loads of deer and birds of prey up there.
Go gold panning at Kildonan (research first because you need permits but it's good fun).
Go to Croick Church and look for the window engravings and learn about the clearances. Go to Badbea (but not if there's a haar - I once terrified myself coming across a sheep looming out of the mist).
Dunrobin Castle for the other side of the history.
The Black Isle - don't know if the Nigg Ferry is running but that's an experience.

Landmark is great. Good walk up to Ben Bhraggie in Golspie and some lovely ambles around the Big Burn there. There is also the Highland Folk museum which is free and worth a mooch around. My kids liked the 50's style sweetie shop. You had to book everything online last summer because of covid, we got turned away from The Highland Wildlife park as slots had filled up. Drumnadrochit had a gorgeous village green and nice pub for lunch. Have fun. I love it up there.

Shin falls! That's where we saw the salmon leaping upstream.

If you're staying south of Inverness Loch Morlich is lovely on a nice day. You can be swimming in the loch with a lovely beach but still see the snow on the mountains that over look it. I'm from here and still think this is great to see.

Smidge did nothing for me. Their hats with the nets work pretty well though! They sell the Skin So Soft in the outdoor shops so I really don't think it's all hype, it creates a barrier rather than being a repellent. I'd take a selection of repellants. Enjoy yourself.

Fort George is great and I have seen dolphins from there. Roseisle nature reserve is a must if you are looking for a huge beach with clear warm water for swimmi g. Also forest trails and picnic bbq area. Love it

I've been reading a lot about these famous midges...I always thought the Avon stuff did the job but I've read several times that they've changed the formula and it's not as good - I've been advised to buy smidge!

Remember to have a look for Nessie.

I hope you have a great holiday but PLEASE don't bother the dolphins. Or the whales.
They exist in their own right, not as tourist attractions. Too many visitors are really, really harming them:

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-57982738

The advice is to watch them from the shore, or from a boat that keeps very, very well away.

Re midges - I don't think any lotions really work. I live in the Highlands and on proper country walks wear (or at least take with me) a hat with a net attached. And gloves. And trousers. And a long-sleeved shirt or teeshirt. But by the coast, with a stiff breeze, you should be OK.

Poster who said beware of ticks also very wise; but you'll usually find those in long grass or bracken, not on the beach. Though I can think of a few west-coast beaches that are heaving .... Those little hook tick removers are good. So are the excellent tweezers that come with Swiss Army knives.

Chanonry Point tide times below. It’s also a great place to collect sea glass.

tides.willyweather.co.uk/he/highland/chanonry-point.html

Remember your masks they are still mandatory here, sorry to be a misery but I know a few English holiday makers have been caught out.