Scotland - June - Cairngorms or Lochs - Midges?!

Mark_Hewitt

daveyjp wrote: »

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.

The weather was so so, some rain, some sun. And we went all over, Fort William, Oban, Tobermory, Calgary, Ardnamurchan, Mallaig, Arisaig, Armadale, Glenelg, Lochaline, and quite a few others I've missed...

Liz_the_Whizz

Hi Sarah,

Midges (and hence visitors) have good and bad years, and are generally worse further west. We only experienced them for the first time last year in the Cairngorm (actually at the car park for the funicular!).

So east may be best, or even better go earlier before they get going. Coastal areas are good - Black Isle was great with dolphins at Chanonry Point.

Avon Skin-So-Soft sometimes helps, but not always.

Have a great time.

ooglewoogle

Of the two, I would head to the Cairngorms....a beautiful rugged area with loads of outdoorsy things to do. More wild and windswept and honeymooney!

I wouldn't worry too much about the midges. Sure you can be unlucky, but if you are out hillwalking, the chances are that it will be breezy enough to keep them away. I have never had much luck with Skin-so-soft...and really loathe the smell and oily feel of the stuff. Better, imo, just to tuck an inexpensive midge net into your pack in case you are bothered...they only weigh a few grams and are very effective.

The most trouble I have ever had with midges was during camping trips...seeing as you are in a cottage...no sweat at all. Have a great honeymoon!

sarah_elton

Thanks everyone!

We can't go earlier in the year really. We've already booked a week at our favourite Lake District hotel (been there the last two summers running - it's our bit of luxury for the year) immediately following the wedding. Each time we go up there, I say we should carry on to Scotland (we drive up from the south-east). So honeymoon time seemed the appropriate time to do it.

Carrying nets sounds like a good option. It sounds like the biggest impact will be on sitting outside of an evening. I'll know not to be seduced by the outside space of some cottages then.

I really wanted to go to the Lochs - maybe stay on the banks of Lomond or similar. But perhaps the Cairngorms would be safer. A relative of one of my bridesmaids has a holiday cottage in Aviemore so I might be able to get that at mates rates anyway. I wouldn't be looking to walk the highest peaks. I made it up Helvellyn in the Lake District in June (the highest I've ever been - OH has much more experience and did mountain leader training with the scouts) and would like to do Scafell Pike next year. That's still just less than 1,000m so I probably wouldn't make it up anything above the 1,000-1,200m range.

bargain_bagger

Here's a lovely place by Loch Fyne. Great honeymoon spot cos it's quite isolated!
www.claddie.co.uk

Hintza

juliescot wrote: »

A

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

You have never been to Minard Forest then...........:eek:

gerryscot

I would suggest Loch Lomond, midges are not as bad beside the water as they are in forrest, etc.

My friend has a log cabin he rents out on Loch Ewe, Let me know if your interested and i will send you the link.

Have a great holiday. :beer: