Scotland - June - Cairngorms or Lochs - Midges?!

sarah_elton

We are planning a self-catering break in Scotland for June. Either the Lochs (maybe stay by Lomond) or the Cairngorms. We'd be there for hill walking mostly.

BUT, I've heard the midges can be a nightmare in June. Any experience? I've heard the west is the worst so maybe the Cairngorms would be better. Are there less midges there?

Or are we better scrapping the idea and going outside the May-Sept midge season...

This is for part of our honeymoon so a load of itchy bites will thoroughly spoil the mood.

Calf_rearer

I go to Scotland in June, have done for many years now, all of Scotland can be midge infested, but a good repellant and mossy coils mean they do not worry me too much. I also have to take allergy tablets, Zirtec derivative, due to hay fever and they do help in reducing the itchyness. If you go outside of May June the weather may be a lot worse, some years the midges are not so much of a problem, for instance if the weather has been very dry before you go. I would say bite the bullet and just go Have a great time

sarah_elton

Thanks - keep hearing differing opinions!

We're spending the week before at a hotel we adore in the Lake District, and we've always wanted to follow it with a week in Scotland. Only found out about the midges recently!

Do you know if there's much difference midge wise between the Cairngorms and the west coast?

juliescot

Avon Skin so Soft is the stuff you want - apply liberally.

You tend not to get midges directly beside coastal areas, the tend to be a bit more inland.

Having said that I have been troubled by them on Skye (Broadford) Argyll and around Glen Nevis

I would go for the route you want and try not to let the blighters get you down

daveyjp

Scotland in June means midges, pray for rain - they don't like it!

It's a real problem when camping or spending time in wooded areas. If you do intend to spend lots of time outdoors hats with midge proof face hoods are widely available.

alibongo42

People will tell you many things about midges, but in my experience (even with Avon Skin so Soft), some people they like and some they don't.

Unfortunately you won't know how tasty you are to midges until you get close to them!

sarah_elton

Thanks guys - we'd be staying in a cottage rather than camping so can retreat indoors at dusk when they're bad.

Mozzies don't go for me at all so hopefully midges are the same. My OH gets eaten alive by mozzies on the other hand.

eamon

In my experience midges like still moist conditions. They don't like fine sunny weather and if its windy they blow away. Some people seem to attract midges (I do) and suffer accordingly. I've only tried the citronella type products and for me they didn't work.
I pity your OH as I think mossies & midges are from the same family.

mummyyummy_2

I dont think you'll have too much of a problem in June and u shouldnt really feel them during the day unless its a really damp day and not at all if its sunny and hot...worst time for midges is usually after dinner ish until dark, when most ppl would retreat outisde for an after dinner seat or as I said earlier if its damp and rainy ...yet again try avon skin so soft.. x

Mark_Hewitt

mummyyummy wrote: »

I dont think you'll have too much of a problem in June and u shouldnt really feel them during the day unless its a really damp day and not at all if its sunny and hot...worst time for midges is usually after dinner ish until dark, when most ppl would retreat outisde for an after dinner seat or as I said earlier if its damp and rainy ...yet again try avon skin so soft.. x

Been to Fort William and surrounding areas twice in mid-June and never saw a single midge.

daveyjp

I can only assume the weather was so bad they didn't come out, or you stayed in built up areas. They were horrendous two years ago on the banks of Loch Linnie - 5 miles from Fort William.