Scotland Midge Forecast

Outer Hebrides Midge Forecast

Lewis, Harris, the Uists & Barra. Live midge levels across the region, local hotspots, and where to escape.

Updated 12:00 · refreshed every 3 hours

Today in Outer Hebrides

10Very Low

Across the region, today's forecast ranges from 0 to 20. 0% of the region is forecast High or worse at some point today.

Midge map Today

Midge forecast map of ScotlandShetland
  • Very Low0–19
  • Low20–39
  • Moderate40–59
  • High60–79
  • Very High80–100

Midge kit

Midge protection essentials

Midge levels look low around Outer Hebrides 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 Stornoway (Lewis)

DayMidge levelWorst hourBest time outdoorsDuskTempWindRain
Today26 Sep 10Very Low 07:00 07:00–21:00 0 19:14 10–14°C 8–20 mph 6.5 mm
Tomorrow27 Sep 6Very Low 16:00 07:00–21:00 9 19:11 9–14°C 9–24 mph 8.9 mm
Monday28 Sep 6Very Low 07:00 07:00–21:00 0 19:08 9–13°C 7–19 mph 7.5 mm
Tuesday29 Sep 1Very Low 04:00 07:00–21:00 0 19:05 11–15°C 14–21 mph 0.5 mm
Wednesday30 Sep 0Very Low 04:00 07:00–21:00 0 19:03 14–16°C 17–27 mph 4.6 mm
Thursday1 Oct 0Very Low 04:00 07:00–21:00 0 19:00 11–13°C 20–30 mph 4.5 mm
Friday2 Oct 0Very Low 04:00 07:00–21:00 0 18:57 10–13°C 14–22 mph 4.1 mm

Places in Outer Hebrides

Midges in Outer Hebrides

The Western Isles are usually windy, which keeps midges down on the famous machair beaches. Inland, the peat moorland and countless lochans of Lewis and the Uists can be seriously midgy on the few still, humid days, so check the forecast before a calm-weather walk.

Midge hotspots

  • Inland peat moorland and lochans on still days
  • Sheltered glens in North Harris

Where to escape them

  • The machair and beaches of Harris, the Uists and Barra
  • Stornoway town and harbour

When are midges worst in Outer Hebrides?

The typical midge level week by week, from our model run over 2023, 2024, 2025 weather at Stornoway (Lewis).

Midgiest weeks: w/c 13 Jul, w/c 8 Jun, w/c 20 Jul.

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Outer Hebrides midge FAQ

Are the midges bad in Outer Hebrides right now?

Today's forecast for Outer Hebrides is Very Low (10/100). Best time outdoors: 07:00–21:00. The forecast updates every three hours.

When is midge season in Outer Hebrides?

As across most of Scotland, midges in Outer Hebrides 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 Outer Hebrides?

Head for breezy, open ground. Local options include: The machair and beaches of Harris, the Uists and Barra; Stornoway town and harbour. Midges struggle to fly in more than a light breeze.