Today in Cairngorms & Speyside
11Very LowAcross the region, today's forecast ranges from 0 to 17. 0% of the region is forecast High or worse at some point today.
Midge map Today
- Very Low0–19
- Low20–39
- Moderate40–59
- High60–79
- Very High80–100
Midge kit
Midge protection essentials
Midge levels look low around Cairngorms & Speyside this week, but a still, damp evening changes everything. These live in our rucksack from May to September.
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. This does not affect the price you pay.
7-day midge forecast for around Aviemore
| Day | Midge level | Worst hour | Best time outdoors | Dusk | Temp | Wind | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Today26 Sep | 12Very Low | 18:00 | 07:00–21:00 | 16 19:04 | 9–13°C | 7–14 mph | 0.6 mm |
| Tomorrow27 Sep | 13Very Low | 15:00 | 07:00–21:00 | 7 19:01 | 7–13°C | 2–12 mph | 2.5 mm |
| Monday28 Sep | 7Very Low | 19:00 | 07:00–21:00 | 10 18:58 | 5–12°C | 1–13 mph | 2 mm |
| Tuesday29 Sep | 3Very Low | 09:00 | 07:00–21:00 | 0 18:55 | 2–14°C | 1–19 mph | 0.1 mm |
| Wednesday30 Sep | 3Very Low | 08:00 | 07:00–21:00 | 0 18:53 | 13–17°C | 10–18 mph | 6.2 mm |
| Thursday1 Oct | 3Very Low | 06:00 | 07:00–21:00 | 1 18:50 | 10–13°C | 10–18 mph | 0 mm |
| Friday2 Oct | 3Very Low | 19:00 | 07:00–21:00 | 4 18:47 | 8–12°C | 9–17 mph | 0 mm |
Places in Cairngorms & Speyside
Midges in Cairngorms & Speyside
The Cairngorms are drier than the west, but the pinewoods and lochs around Aviemore, Glenmore and Rothiemurchus hold plenty of midges on warm, still evenings in July and August. Higher ground and the open plateau are usually midge-free when there is any breeze.
Midge hotspots
- Loch Morlich and Glenmore Forest at dusk
- Rothiemurchus pinewoods and Loch an Eilein
- Riverside camping spots along the Spey
Where to escape them
- The Cairngorm plateau and open hill tops
- Aviemore village in the daytime
- Open moorland on the Deeside side of the park
When are midges worst in Cairngorms & Speyside?
The typical midge level week by week, from our model run over 2023, 2024, 2025 weather at Aviemore.
Midgiest weeks: w/c 13 Jul, w/c 20 Jul, w/c 10 Aug.
Free midge alerts
Get the forecast in your inbox
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.
Cairngorms & Speyside midge FAQ
Are the midges bad in Cairngorms & Speyside right now?
Today's forecast for Cairngorms & Speyside is Very Low (11/100). Best time outdoors: 07:00–21:00. The forecast updates every three hours.
When is midge season in Cairngorms & Speyside?
As across most of Scotland, midges in Cairngorms & Speyside are usually active from late May until September, peaking in July and August. Calm, damp, overcast evenings are the worst.
Where can I avoid midges in Cairngorms & Speyside?
Head for breezy, open ground. Local options include: The Cairngorm plateau and open hill tops; Aviemore village in the daytime. Midges struggle to fly in more than a light breeze.