How midgey is Glencoe? Scotland end of august

[AlertCat]

Going at the end of august. Never been so late while it’s still technically summer! Will the midges still be thriving?

Also visiting islands. Do I need more jumpers than I think I will?

We have smidge and also skin so soft. But have only visited a bit earlier in August previously. I don’t remember the midges being a feature of Galloway in august, nor the islands- I guess is a bit breezier!
Thinking of an overnight stop on the way to Oban, and yes, camping! Maybe we won’t stop in Glencoe then 😬

I'm staying in the islands in early August too. We were in Oban last spring and visited Glencoe on the same trip. Even in that cold air there were various nasties buzzing about!

I have Skin so Soft and Smidge, and also a tick repellent (and remover). I've also got some of those crazy hats with veils over them like beekeepers wear!

I've been put off visiting that region for years because of midge-fear. But of late we are developing such a love affair with Scotland that this year we've decided to brave it.

Why are there so many midges in Scotland and not the moors of England and Wales?

Genuine question.

@Navigatinglife100

Googling got me this :

They are worse in damp, or humid areas. They thrive where there are natural wind breaks ( mountain ranges etc) . They like the cooler summers we get up here; they have few predators, and they are prolific breeders.

Doesn’t entirely explain a very windy campsite on Skye where I got eaten alive though.

Thanks.

I'm seriously considering buying head-to-toe midge suits ...

We usually go to the islands (not Skye) and the worst bites I got (maybe the only bites, certainly the only ones I remember) were when we camped under trees near a lake. Our sea-edge camping was midge free, except in Oban, but it wasn’t horrific and the smidge kept them at bay.

I wasn’t wearing any repellant when I got bitten badly and it was more likely some kind of giant mosquito or horsefly type that got into the tent (and ignored OH!).

i’d like to take my dc to the pointy mountains around Glencoe, but neither of us will enjoy it if it’s very midgey.

Glendalough in Co. Wicklow is famous for the buggers. And they do come in swarms😭

www.instagram.com/reel/DL7aHbxsLKq/?igsh=cXVjcWVndHNzdWN0

Oh god I saw this today and thought of Op. this is horrendous 😱 I live in Aberdeenshire, and even with trips to the West Coast have never seen it this bad !

I have seen it that bad but only on the west coast. I remember wiping them off my face and my hand was black with them

I live in Scotland and midgies used to love me. Vitamin B complex plus garlic supplement and plenty of smidge on non windy days. Those citronella bands I wear one in my hair. It’s massively helped.

The midge forecast was about 4 yesterday in Glencoe, but only 1 in the island region. I'll be keeping my eye on that until we go!