Midge free Scottish camping

[LakeFlyPie]

Is it possible?
We're looking at travelling up to Edinburgh (and camping at Festival site) from NW England mid-end August with a couple of stops, possibly Northumberland and Scotland. Any wisdom re midges and recommended campsites (we have campervan and awning) would be gratefully received

You should be less at the mercy of the midges if you are on the east coast (as opposed to the islands of the west) but YOU ABSOLUTELY MUST get some Avon Skin so Soft Dry Oil spray; it's a well known midge bite deterrent and it smells lovely.

Not possible. Seriously. But East better than West and coast better than lochs

There are always midges in Scotland. They are very annoying. That's why everyone has a grown on their face lime Nicola Sturgeon.

Frown sorry!

Oh no! That may be a deal breaker. I always get bitten, can cope with mozzies but midges are a whole different league. Maybe time to rethink plans.
Camping in Northumberland and travel up to Edinburgh for the day??
How's Northumberland for midges?!

LakeFly midges love me too but honestly that stuff is the best.

Disclaimer: I don't work for Avon!!

I camped in kielder forest in Northumberland last year and the midges were awful. I bought some Avon SSS dry oil spray for the trip and found it was useless. I had put some tropical deet repellent in at the last minute when I packed and I was glad I did as it worked a treat. Someone recommended Smidge as an effective repellent - I've got some but haven't had chance to try it out yet.

North Wales is looking more appealing by the second!

Will try Avon SSS though, thanks for the tip Legend, I've heard it's good

Coastal sites are normally midge free and quite lovely.mThere are probably sites with good rail links into Edinburgh as well.

I just clicked on here to recommend Avon Skin so Soft - I can see I've been beaten to it. It really does work. We didn't use the dry oil though, just the normal spray.

My favourite site Nydie Farm (short drive from St Andrews so not a huge drive from Edinburgh never has midges. Hilltop location, with stunning views, means that the breeze always seems to keep them away.

I use skin so soft, smudge and a hood when we go West - I've been bitten through clothing and react really badly

Another one who came on to recommend Skin So Soft and no, I don't work for them either

I get eaten alive and find trek repellent really good, not used it in Scotland yet but it stood up well against the midges in the lakes x

I'm Scottish and frown free, ta The midges love me. But I've almost never been bitten in Edinburgh (where I live, and this is not co-incidental). There is a 'rise' at twilight but really not in the city. Where were you thinking of staying? Unless it's in the deep of the hills over stagnant water, and you intend to hang about at twilight (if so, why on earth come at festival time when there are a hundred million better things to do) you will be fine, honest.

Midges live in the West of Scotland, you should be very safe in Edinburgh. I tell my English friends to drive North then turn to the right when they are coming up for holidays..

Definitely avoid Glen Coe, the midges never bloody stop. They don't sleep, or work shifts, or something. It is the only place I've been where they'd filled my tea before I'd even got milk in it.

You'll be fine on the East coast. We just had a wet weekend at a campsite in Dunbar. Not a single midge. Not even when it was still and damp. I was so confident I didn't even take the skin so soft. Get booked soon for the Edinburgh bit.

Even where midges are bad they only cope with specific conditions any way. We camped right by the river Forth in the Trossachs (i.e. towards the west) a couple of weeks ago and we sat out with no repellent on for most of the afternoon and evening. They only started to bother us when the sun dropped.

Also live in Edinburgh and don't get bitten.