Camping in Scotland - Midge Avoidance advice?

[ellenrose]

Hi - We want to go camping in Scotland in May half term but people have been warning us about midges - is this early enough to avoid them? Any guidance on better places to stay? Has anyone been to Glenmore Forest Park? All help gratefully received

You'll be fine in May - that's when we go every year specifically for midge-avoidance reasons. We stay near Glencoe.

Camp fires work well, you just have to sit in the smoke and put up with you eyes streaming .

I use jungle formula roll on or Avon forest scent spray oil.

May is ok, generally
My mIL swears by Clarins Kids sunscreen for keeping them away
Not sure why
I come from round those parts
Glenmore is lovely - Rothiemurchus has good walks and Loch Morlich has watersports though May perhaps too early
There used to be a pool/jacuzzi/quite nice set-up at the hotel in Coylumbridge (for rainy days) but as I type I realise I last went there more than 20 yrs ago
Aviemore is a dump, the Aviemore Centre has been done up in recent yrs but I wouldn't have high hopes for it.
However there is a pool and a cinema
Landmark Forest Trail near Carrbridge is good for younger kids
There is a wildlife centre at Kincraig
Have a great time!

For a small fee I'll loan you DH, he's irrisitable to midges - no-one else gets bitten when he's around. Had a hilarious time walking the West Highland Way once - sent DH ahead to draw off the midges and the rest of us walked behind in comfort. Poor sod, he looked like that cartoon character off peanuts surrounded by a cloud of insects .

That is so true you have to find someone in your group (or hire one) that the midges love. Walk near them but not too near. Even if you do get bitten they will always be worse off so it will make you feel better .

Thank you - any other campsites in Scotland worth recommending?

Glenmore is fab and Coylumbridge still has all the indoor fun too. Glen More is my favourite campsite, it's got everything. Be sure to walk up to the green loch as it is sooooo beautiful.

Aviemore is not quite the dump it used to be (OK there are still a couple of dodgy looking 70s architectural carbuncles) but it's got lots to offer. The Scenic Railway up Cairngorm is great too. Oooooh I'm so jealous. I love it up there, the cycling is the best bit. Very safe and as easy or extreme as you want it. We visited Kincraig Wildlife park last September and it was a great day out - very child friendly.

As for midgies, shouldn't be too many around in May but Avon Skin-So-Soft is a pleasant smelling way to put them off.

the Avon dry oil body spray is FAMOUS for midge-repelling. i kid you not. but i cant remember which scent it is, really sorry

im sure someone else will be able to tell you on here

Forgot to add other campsites .....

a friend of mine goes here a lot www.resipole.co.uk/

Also down Kintyre Way -
\link{http://www.muasdaleholidays.com/\muasdale}
\linkwww.lochgilpheadcaravanpark.co.uk/touring.htm\Lochgilphead}
\link{http://www.portban.com/\PortBan}
Benderloch near Oban (we're going there at
Easter)

Try \link{http://www.uk-sites.com/caravan_and_campsites_directory/Scotland-North.htm\site finder} for a look at various ones

Its the Avon, Skin so Soft, Woodland scent. The dryoil spray seems best but I have the body moisturiser too.