Midges in Scotland: A Survival Guide 2024

The humble midge can be the bane of people living in Scotland, particularly in the Scottish Highlands and the west coast, but we do get them in east Scotland, too, just in lesser concentrations.

Although there is a running joke about midges being a major predator in Scotland, they do actually influence tourism and the local economy affecting camping trips, fishing, and hiking, as well as people who work outside, such as rangers, gardeners and farmers. People will even take entire days off work if the midge season is particularly bad... the tourist industry loses out on hundreds of millions of pounds in lost revenue every year due to midges, with tourists wisely staying away at peak times.

Biting midges are not pleasant and should be taken seriously if you are planning a trip to the Scottish Highlands or the west coast and associated islands.

Let's have a deep dive into the midge scourge and see if we can mitigate any problems you may encounter on your visit to Scotland.

Table of contents:

What are Scottish Midges/Midgies?

The Highland biting midge is a small flying insect that appears in the spring and summer months. All areas of Scotland are affected, but the worst areas are in the west highlands due to perfect breeding grounds in the wet conditions. Scotland's Midges are only between 1-3 mm long and a light grey colour unless they have a belly full of blood; then, disgustingly, they might look red.

Midges in Scotland are in the family of Ceratopogonidae and are named "Culcoides impunctatus" scientifically. The Gaelic name for midge is "meanbh-chuileag", which means "pigmy fly" or "tiny".  Females lay eggs in the wet soil or vegetation, which then hatch into larvae in less than 24 hours. Female midges do not need a blood meal to lay their first batch of eggs after mating with male midges. To reproduce again, midges will require an abdomen full of blood to lay each additional batch of eggs (usually a maximum of three batches in their lifetime). In midge season, there are potentially 180 trillion midges in Scotland!

The female midge has powerful serrated mandibles, perfect for biting into the skin and will source their blood meal from any available animal within their vicinity, from cows, sheep, horses/ponies to humans; they are not fussy eaters! They are also drawn to flowers and sap but will prefer a live blood feast.

Cold weather and frost, in particular, are the death knell for the Scottish midge; they cannot survive cold weather conditions much to the relief of the west coast population. The soil-dwelling larvae will hunker down over the winter, ready to restart the process again next year. Amazingly a bad winter does not seem to affect the following year's swarm, and numbers can actually increase.

In my area of northeast Scotland, these tiny flying insects are called midgies (midgees); I guess this is yet another local difference in the pronunciation of some words.

How long do midges live?

20-30 days is the average lifespan.

Are Scottish midge bites painful?

They aren't too bad, more of an itchy annoyance, but many bites may cause significant discomfort. The midge will actually feed for 3 to 4 minutes until they have had its fill of blood, and you may not even feel it. The midge bite injects anticoagulant saliva into the wound, the body's reaction to this is to create itching/swelling, and this is why the raised red bumps appear on the skin. Only female midges bite.

What is the best treatment for midge bites?

The best treatment is an anti-histamine cream or gel. Although it will itch, try not to scratch the bite marks. Please see the NHS insect bites and stings page here.

Are some people more likely to get bitten by midges?

Yes, for some reason, some people seem a lot more delicious to this tiny insect than others. Probably due to varying body temperatures, diet, sweat levels, and maybe sugar levels in the blood. I have seen midges go for a specific person in a group (my dad is an all-you-can-eat buffet) and almost leave others completely unaffected.

A chemical called ketone has been identified in individuals who seem less palatable to midges. The hope is to turn this into a future treatment or natural prevention method instead of using insect repellents.

Phases of midge bites

1. CO2 in your breath - this gives an instant signal to midges that you are available for snacking on.

2. Your location - body odour, heat, sweat, colour and movement all give clues to your whereabouts.

3. The midge will land on your exposed skin and initially sample how you taste with its taste receptors.

4. Using their serrated jaws, they will make a small opening to start filling up on blood in a similar way to a mosquito bite.

5. Pregnant females will actually give off a pheromone to invite other adult midges to take part in the feast.

Do midge bites affect people differently?

Yes, everyone's immune response is different, so some people who are bitten may experience very little reaction, while others will get itchy raised bumps. I have never heard of anyone having a very serious life-threatening reaction to midge bites.

Where is the worst place in Scotland for midges?

The western highlands of the Scottish mainland, and also the Scottish islands. The Great Glen, Glen Coe, Fort William - any of the main nature/hiking areas - will have a problem with Scottish midges on warm, wet still days between May and September.

Midges tend to love damp, boggy areas and acidic peatlands especially. Humid sheltered areas with recent rainfall and cloud cover will be hellish places to be in midge season.

Midge repellents

There are many dedicated midge repellent options on the market; here are a few of the best ones for your consideration.

Smidge

Smidge is the weapon of choice to keep the midges at bay. This is an official product made specifically for midge season and is considered highly successful... although you might have to "clart" yourself in it for it to be efficacious.

The main selling points of Smidge:

• Deet free (no Diethyltoluamide)

• 8 hours of protection

• Water & sweat resistant

• Specifically designed for midges

It also has a secondary plus point of repelling ticks too, which can be a major pest when walking in many of Scotland's wild areas. Smidge works for mosquitoes, too, so ideal for use on holiday.

Please see some of the affiliate links below for Smidge products, including the insect repellent and midge head netting:

• Smidge 75ml Insect Repellent

• Smidge Head Net Smidge Unisex's Midge and Mosquito-Proof Super Lightweight Head Net-Green, One Size

• Smidge Unisex's Tick Removing Card, Green, one size

Beastie BE Gone

Another all-natural and deet-free option, Beastie BE Gone also acts as a great moisturiser and has a protective SPF effect of 15. An added benefit is it can also be used on bites and stings to provide relief. Sunburns can also be treated with this product. An all-around great option, but it must be reapplied every 2 hours, compared to Smidge's 8 hours.

Cubby's Salve

I was sent this midge repellent directly from Cubby's Salve; I haven't had a chance to test against midges yet, but I will try this summer! It has quite a strong smell but is deet free. Check out the product on their website.

The Wee Midgie Body Butter

A lovely smelling body butter that is hand-made in Scotland. The main ingredient is artificial Bog Myrtle which is a natural anti-midge repellent. The 40g pot is marketed as being able to last the whole season, but I found it doesn't go that far, and a good quarter of the pot can be used on one person. You will need to reapply twice in one day, so if you are a family of 5, one tin might not last a day, let alone your entire trip.

Insect Repelling - The Wee Midgie / Myrtle Body Butter for Midges ,Mozzies & Moisturising - Midge & Mosquito Repellent Body Butter - 40g

Buzz Off Spray

This is one of the major brands for repelling mosquitoes, but it is also effective against midges in Scotland. It has a very pungent smell, so maybe see if you can try it before you buy.

Be aware Buzz Off Spray does contain Deet / Diethyltoluamide, which can affect human health (negative skin reactions) and even ruin some plastics, i.e. parts of your coat around your neck. I would try Smidge first and Buzz off as an alternative option.

Avon Skin So Soft

This product is not marketed as an insect repellent but does have a good reputation for repelling midges but only for a short time. You will probably have to reapply it every 15 minutes (compared to 8 hours with Smidge), so it's not really ideal for a day on the hills... imagine how soft your skin will be, though!

2 x Avon Skin So Soft Dry Oil Body Spray Insect Mosquito Mosi Repellant Properties

Natural Scottish midge repellent options

Here are a few options for keeping midges at bay!

Campfires

For campers, the obvious choice is to have a campfire (where allowed and safe to do so). The smoke will deter the attacking hordes of midges and generally keep them at bay, but you may have to sit in the direction the smoke is blowing to have the optimum effect... which in itself will be unpleasant but may give some relief from particularly bad swarms as a last resort.

A midge trap could also be taken with you to attract the worst of the swarm.

The Wind

A good breeze can be very helpful and definitely reduces your chances of being bitten. Midges usually hover around in clusters in the air (and will follow you around!), so the wind helps to stop these clusters from forming. It only takes a wind speed of greater than 5 mph for them to be unable to fly, so if there is more than a slight breeze, you are good to go!

Citronella

Users of Citronella oil have reported some success with midges in Scotland. Made from different types of lemongrass, it is normally used in the perfume industry for use in soaps and candles. It has a very citrusy smell and has been used in the USA since 1948 as a natural insect repellent.

Citronella candles could also be used while camping (be very careful!) as a deterrent to midges.

Tea Tree, Eucalyptus, Lemon & Lavender Oil

I'm not sure how effective these oils will be, but damn, you will smell good! In all seriousness, though, it's likely these will have an effect on midges, but maybe not as targeted or effective as Smidge. Stick to the good stuff!

Marmite

Love it or loathe it, eating Marmite before your trip and during it is meant to repel midges. It could be an old wives' tale, but if you like Marmite, why not give it a go?

When is Scottish midge season?

Yes, unfortunately, there is such a thing as a "midge season", and west coasters will already be clued up on the worst times for midges in Scotland. April to September is roughly midge season, with July and August being the peak times.

Plan your visit for late September and late May

Visiting west Scotland is still viable in the cooler months; September and May, in particular, can still have great weather conditions. East Scotland has much less of a midge problem, and even the Cairngorm National Park is feasible in the summer months.

Is there a best time of day for midges?

Mornings and evenings are the worst; mid-day is best with direct sunlight. Again wind is your friend too.

What clothing is best for midge season?

Midges love dark clothing, and you are much more visible to them; try wearing light colours. A midge net attached to a hat can be a lifesaver, too, if you are out in particularly bad conditions.

Alternatives activities if the midges are unbearable

You need not stay outdoors if the midges are out in force; there are many indoor activities available:

• Castles

• Visitor centres

• Museums

• Distilleries / Whisky tours

• Soft play centres / Trampoline parks

• Indoor climbing walls

• Aquariums

• Pubs/cinema/restaurants

You could also opt for a more high-octane outdoor activity where the midges won't be able to keep up with you as you are moving at speed:

• Ziplining

• Go-karting

• Mountain biking

• Kayaking

• White water rapids

• Bungee jumping

• Snowboarding / Skiing

• Quad bike treks

Scottish midge forecast

The makers of Smidge repellent also offer their midge forecast service, only available in the main midge months of May to September. Data collected from weather stations and biting midge traps help build an overall picture of the midge activity. They offer a 1 to 5 scale, with 5 being a midge apocalypse.

Are the midges in Scotland actually a good thing?

Man's attack on nature is never-ending, and we are constantly looking to develop land and destroy our natural surroundings in the name of human progress. Perhaps Scottish midges are a natural anti-human defence mechanism that so far has been successful in keeping the human population low in the western areas of Scotland.

Deforestation in many areas of the highlands has also given rise to the midges, finding the type of long grass ideal for breeding. Maybe humans have created this plague of biting flies and need to rectify it by replanting the trees lost in Scotland for hundreds of years.

Midges as a food source

On the flip side, the midges in Scotland are an important food source for many other species, such as spiders, swallows and bats. A single bat has the potential to devour 3000 midges in a single night! Midge larvae are also eaten by water beetles, dragonflies and fish.

Midges can be used by water authorities as an indicator of water purity; if there are no midges, it's likely the water is toxic in some way, maybe from sewage, oil or detergent contamination.

Do midges in Scotland spread disease in a similar way to mosquitos?

In humans, this does not seem to be a problem in Scotland yet but could be in the future if temperatures increase. In some parts of the world, midges can spread yellow fever and malaria, but thankfully in Scotland, we do not have the same issue.

Farmers show the most concern as diseases can be spread amongst their herds by midges. In hot countries, midges can cause the Blue Tongue virus and African Horse Sickness.

Does Scotland have mosquitoes?

There are around 10-30 species of mosquito present in Scotland.  The most prevalent is "Anopheles plumbeus" and "Culex pipiens", but they are rarer than the highland midge but have been gaining territory in recent years due to milder weather conditions.

What other biting insects live in Scotland?

Horseflies / Clegs

We do have horseflies (also named Clegs locally) which can give a nasty bite, but they aren't as prevalent as the midges.

Ticks

Ticks are a real terror in Scotland, especially for pets. Ticks are worrisome for humans as a bite can infect you with an awful condition called Lyme Disease, which has many horrible symptoms. If you are bitten by a tick and get a red bullseye-type rash at the site of the tick bite, see a doctor as soon as possible. Please read more on my guide to ticks.

Midges in Scotland FAQ

Here are some frequently asked questions on midges in Scotland.

When is Scottish midge season?

The Scottish midge season typically spans from April to September; however, their emergence can vary depending on the temperature. It is not uncommon for these tiny insects to appear earlier or later than expected.

Midges usually come in two waves, with the first generation appearing before the second. As the early autumn months arrive, the number of midges starts to dwindle. This is why hiking during September and October is ideal for those looking to explore Scotland's rugged terrain without having to constantly fend off midge attacks.

Where is best to avoid midges in Scotland?

To escape the wrath of the dreaded midges, seek out lowland regions with consistent breezes, as they are less likely to harbour these pesky insects. Coastal areas, are better than bogs, marshes and woodland.

Scotland's vast and varied outdoors offers plenty of options to avoid midges during the summer months. Look for areas that are far from water sources, as these tend to be hotspots for midges. With a bit of research and exploration, you'll surely find a spot to revel in Scotland's natural beauty without being plagued by midge swarms.

Where are the worst places for Midges in Scotland?

If you want to avoid midges during your Scottish adventure, it's best to stay away from damp, marshy, and sheltered highland areas. Glen Coe, the Fort William vicinity, Great Glen, and Torridon are all prime locations for midges and should be avoided if possible.

What is "midge weather"?

Days with warm, humid weather with no wind to blow midges away.

When is the Scottish midge population at its lowest?

In Scotland, the months of October, November, December, January, February, and March, which fall in the early autumn and early spring, are typically free from midges due to the colder weather. However, keep in mind that the chilly temperatures may not be suitable for everyone, so dress accordingly if you plan to explore Scotland during these months.

Key information on midges in Scotland:

• Midges appear from April to September.

• Smidge is the best midge repellent.

• West Scotland is worse for midges than east.

• Windy days can help blow midges away.

• Midges are attracted to some people more than others.

• Scotland has mosquitos and other biting insects, including horseflies and ticks.

Conclusion

I hope this article has been of some help to you if you are considering a visit to West Scotland or the Scottish Isles. Please don't cancel your trip to Scotland, just adjust your timings and activities and take some repellant and you will be just fine! May your trip be midge free!