Midge map Today
- Very Low0–19
- Low20–39
- Moderate40–59
- High60–79
- Very High80–100
Each hexagon is about 13 km across. Tap one to see its forecast.
Midge kit
Midge protection essentials
Heading out between May and September? These three live in our rucksack all summer, and they are what we actually use.
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Midge forecast by region
The region score is the level that seven in ten places in the region stay below, so a few spots will be worse. Open a region for local hotspots and places to escape the midges.
Midge season calendar
Typical midge levels by month, from running our model over the last 3 summers of real weather (2023, 2024, 2025). Use it to plan a trip: the same place can be mild in May and wild in August.
| Region | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| West Highlands | 2 | 25 | 48 | 63 | 56 | 34 | 6 |
| Skye & Lochalsh | 1 | 14 | 29 | 39 | 30 | 19 | 3 |
| North West Highlands | 1 | 12 | 28 | 35 | 31 | 19 | 3 |
| Inverness, Loch Ness & the Far North | 1 | 13 | 24 | 34 | 28 | 18 | 3 |
| Cairngorms & Speyside | 1 | 13 | 24 | 34 | 29 | 17 | 3 |
| Moray, Aberdeen & the North East | 1 | 10 | 23 | 30 | 24 | 15 | 3 |
| Perthshire & Angus | 1 | 16 | 33 | 41 | 40 | 25 | 5 |
| Argyll, Mull & Islay | 1 | 21 | 39 | 50 | 42 | 26 | 4 |
| Kintyre & Arran | 1 | 13 | 27 | 33 | 27 | 17 | 3 |
| Loch Lomond & the Trossachs | 1 | 19 | 38 | 48 | 44 | 28 | 5 |
| Central Belt, Fife & Ayrshire | 1 | 10 | 18 | 25 | 19 | 14 | 2 |
| Dumfries & Galloway | 1 | 18 | 38 | 45 | 39 | 26 | 5 |
| Scottish Borders | 1 | 12 | 21 | 32 | 24 | 16 | 3 |
| Orkney & Shetland | 1 | 6 | 15 | 23 | 22 | 12 | 1 |
| Outer Hebrides | 1 | 11 | 23 | 33 | 22 | 16 | 2 |
Free midge alerts
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Pick a place and how you want to hear from us. Alerts only run during midge season (late April to October), every email has a one-click unsubscribe, and we never share your address.
Midge reports
Are the midges biting where you are?
Tell us what it's like right now. Reports appear on the map for 24 hours and help us check the forecast against real conditions.
Choose a place above, or use your location, then tap a level.
How our midge forecast works
688 forecast points
Scotland is split into hexagons about 13 km across, from the Mull of Galloway to Unst. Each has its own hourly weather forecast, refreshed every three hours.
Hour by hour
Every hour is scored for wind (the biggest factor, since midges can't fly in more than a light breeze), temperature, humidity and rain.
Dawn and dusk
Midges peak around sunrise and sunset, so each place's own sunrise and sunset times shape the forecast. That's why we can show you the best time to be outdoors.
Local habitat
Wet, low-lying ground breeds far more midges than dry, high or urban ground. Each hexagon is weighted by its annual rainfall and elevation, so Glen Coe and Edinburgh don't score the same in the same weather.
The midge season
A seasonal curve follows the midge life cycle, rising from late spring, peaking in July and August and fading through September.
Honest limits
This is a model, not a trap count. Midges vary hugely over short distances, so use it to plan, and trust a breeze and an open hillside over a sheltered wood.
For the biology, the best repellents and how to plan around midges, read our complete guide to midges in Scotland. Heading into long grass? See our guide to ticks in Scotland too.
Midge forecast FAQ
How does the Live Breathe Scotland midge forecast work?
Every three hours we pull hourly weather forecasts for 688 points across Scotland, each covering an area about 13 km across. Each hour is scored for wind, temperature, humidity, light (anchored to that location's sunrise and sunset), rain, recent wet weather, local habitat (rainfall and elevation) and the time of the midge season. The result is a Midge Index from 0 to 100. A day's score is the average of its three worst hours.
What do the midge levels mean?
Very Low (0–19): no precautions needed. Low (20–39): a few midges in sheltered spots at dawn and dusk. Moderate (40–59): expect midges near water and trees around dusk, so pack repellent. High (60–79): midges will bite in still, sheltered places, so use repellent and a head net. Very High (80–100): severe conditions, so cover up and head for breezy, open ground.
When is midge season in Scotland?
The Highland midge is usually active from late May to late September. Numbers build through June, peak in July and August, and tail off in September. A warm spring can bring them out in early May, and mild spells can keep them going into October. Our midge season calendar shows the typical pattern for each region.
What time of day are midges worst?
Midges are most active around dusk and dawn, on overcast days and in still, humid air. Our hourly chart shows exactly when the worst hours are forecast for each place and highlights the best time to be outdoors.
Where are the worst places for midges in Scotland?
The wet, sheltered west is worst: Lochaber (Glen Coe, Glen Nevis), Skye, Wester Ross, Argyll and the Trossachs lochs. The drier, breezier east, including Moray, Aberdeenshire, Fife and the Borders, and the windy Northern Isles are usually far better. Tap any hexagon on the map to compare.
How accurate is the midge forecast?
It is a weather-driven model, so it is as good as the weather forecast behind it and is most reliable for the next two or three days. Midges also vary hugely over short distances, so a sheltered wood can be bad while a breezy beach a mile away is clear. Use it to plan, then judge conditions on the ground.
How is this different from the Smidge midge forecast?
The Smidge forecast, from APS Biocontrol, combines midge trap data with population modelling. Ours is an independent, weather-driven forecast that adds hourly detail, sunrise- and sunset-aware dawn and dusk risk, postcode search, alerts and free embeds. Many people check both before a trip.
Can I get midge alerts by email?
Yes. Choose any region or place and get a Thursday weekend outlook, a "good day" alert when tomorrow looks Low, or a daily forecast for your trip dates. Set up a free alert.
Can I add this midge forecast to my website?
Yes. Campsites, holiday lets, tour operators and outdoor clubs can embed a live forecast for their location for free. Get the midge forecast widget.
Planning a trip to Scotland?
Read our guide to Scottish midges, or build a route that dodges the worst of them with the road trip planner.