Today in Orkney & Shetland
7Very LowAcross the region, today's forecast ranges from 2 to 9. 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 Orkney & Shetland this week, but a still, damp evening changes everything. These live in our rucksack from May to September.
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7-day midge forecast for around Kirkwall (Orkney)
| Day | Midge level | Worst hour | Best time outdoors | Dusk | Temp | Wind | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Today8 Oct | 8Very Low | 17:00 | 07:00–21:00 | 9 18:25 | 7–11°C | 2–13 mph | 0.4 mm |
| Tomorrow9 Oct | 3Very Low | 18:00 | 07:00–21:00 | 4 18:22 | 8–12°C | 8–15 mph | 17.3 mm |
| Saturday10 Oct | 3Very Low | 08:00 | 07:00–21:00 | 1 18:20 | 7–10°C | 2–17 mph | 10 mm |
| Sunday11 Oct | 5Very Low | 16:00 | 07:00–21:00 | 5 18:17 | 8–10°C | 4–13 mph | 0.8 mm |
| Monday12 Oct | 6Very Low | 17:00 | 07:00–21:00 | 8 18:14 | 6–13°C | 2–20 mph | 6.3 mm |
| Tuesday13 Oct | 0Very Low | 04:00 | 07:00–21:00 | 0 18:11 | 10–14°C | 20–40 mph | 2.1 mm |
| Wednesday14 Oct | 0Very Low | 04:00 | 07:00–21:00 | 0 18:08 | 9–10°C | 17–30 mph | 5.4 mm |
Places in Orkney & Shetland
Midges in Orkney & Shetland
The Northern Isles are famously kind to midge-dodgers. Constant wind, few trees and lots of open ground keep numbers low, so Orkney and Shetland are usually among the best places in Scotland to escape midges, although sheltered spots can still bite on rare still, muggy evenings.
Midge hotspots
- Sheltered valleys such as Hoy's glens on calm evenings
Where to escape them
- Almost anywhere with a breeze: cliffs, beaches and the Orkney mainland
When are midges worst in Orkney & Shetland?
The typical midge level week by week, from our model run over 2023, 2024, 2025 weather at Kirkwall (Orkney).
Midgiest weeks: w/c 27 Jul, w/c 20 Jul, w/c 31 Aug.
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Orkney & Shetland midge FAQ
Are the midges bad in Orkney & Shetland right now?
Today's forecast for Orkney & Shetland is Very Low (7/100). Best time outdoors: 07:00–21:00. The forecast updates every three hours.
When is midge season in Orkney & Shetland?
As across most of Scotland, midges in Orkney & Shetland 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 Orkney & Shetland?
Head for breezy, open ground. Local options include: Almost anywhere with a breeze: cliffs, beaches and the Orkney mainland. Midges struggle to fly in more than a light breeze.