Today in North West Highlands
5Very LowAcross the region, today's forecast ranges from 0 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 North West Highlands 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 Ullapool
| Day | Midge level | Worst hour | Best time outdoors | Dusk | Temp | Wind | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Today8 Oct | 1Very Low | 15:00 | 07:00–21:00 | 1 18:36 | 4–7°C | 7–14 mph | 4.3 mm |
| Tomorrow9 Oct | 0Very Low | 04:00 | 07:00–21:00 | 0 18:33 | 6–8°C | 9–18 mph | 23.2 mm |
| Saturday10 Oct | 0Very Low | 04:00 | 07:00–21:00 | 0 18:31 | 6–7°C | 13–20 mph | 17.2 mm |
| Sunday11 Oct | 3Very Low | 16:00 | 07:00–21:00 | 3 18:28 | 5–7°C | 3–7 mph | 0.4 mm |
| Monday12 Oct | 9Very Low | 16:00 | 07:00–21:00 | 11 18:25 | 7–11°C | 1–13 mph | 3.2 mm |
| Tuesday13 Oct | 0Very Low | 04:00 | 07:00–21:00 | 0 18:22 | 8–13°C | 17–31 mph | 12.1 mm |
| Wednesday14 Oct | 0Very Low | 04:00 | 07:00–21:00 | 0 18:20 | 5–9°C | 15–23 mph | 17.2 mm |
Places in North West Highlands
Midges in North West Highlands
Wester Ross and Sutherland combine huge rainfall, endless peat bog and hundreds of small lochs, which is perfect midge habitat. Torridon, Applecross and Assynt are notorious on still summer evenings, while the north coast around Durness is usually breezier.
Midge hotspots
- Torridon and Glen Torridon campsite
- Applecross and the Bealach na Ba lay-bys on calm days
- Loch Maree and Kinlochewe woodlands
- Assynt's lochans around Lochinver
Where to escape them
- North coast beaches around Durness and Balnakeil
- Achmelvich and Clachtoll beaches when the sea breeze is up
- Ullapool harbour front
When are midges worst in North West Highlands?
The typical midge level week by week, from our model run over 2023, 2024, 2025 weather at Ullapool.
Midgiest weeks: w/c 13 Jul, w/c 20 Jul, w/c 8 Jun.
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North West Highlands midge FAQ
Are the midges bad in North West Highlands right now?
Today's forecast for North West Highlands is Very Low (5/100). Best time outdoors: 07:00–21:00. The forecast updates every three hours.
When is midge season in North West Highlands?
As across most of Scotland, midges in North West Highlands 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 North West Highlands?
Head for breezy, open ground. Local options include: North coast beaches around Durness and Balnakeil; Achmelvich and Clachtoll beaches when the sea breeze is up. Midges struggle to fly in more than a light breeze.