:: Protect Yourself

The Highland Midge Company

The Scottish Highlands are a unique area of Europe. Rugged mountains, majestic castles and unspoilt coastline make Scotland are one of the best places to visit for in the UK.

we still need to apply insect repellent even though it looks like the carribean

ruined castle on the Assynt estate

The Gulf Stream bathes the region in warm water; the gardens on the west coast are more reminiscent of Cornwall than North Scotland.

lush green and perfect for midges to breed

view of the natural waterfalls at attadale, a scottish midge havel

Photos: Attadale Gardens, Wester Ross. June 2006.

There is a minor snag here, and its a real taboo to admit it for fear of the Scottish tourist board. The temperate climate makes for a perfect environment for a particular little pest, the highland midge.

midges like a break, especially before going out on the swarm with other midges

Although midges can be found all over Europe, the Culicoides Impunctatus or the dreaded “midgy” found in the Scottish Highlands is particularly ferocious. The female Highland Midgy seeks out a blood meal prior to laying her eggs. The midge season begins in the late spring and lasts right through to first cold days in autumn.

The Highland Midge (Culicoides Impunctatus) taking a break from biting people.

Highland midges prefer to swarm in certain conditions. Midges like to swarm in warm still air to be found under trees. Warm, still summer evenings are a particular favourite with midges as they find plenty of humans to feast on. Humans distracted by good company and a few drinks are best. Most locals buy a midge catcher, a small Calor-gas appliance that emits moist carbon dioxide and a powerful vacuum to catch the midges in a fine cloth bag. They work really well and we find that deceased highland midges make a fantastic mulch for roses.

self-catering at applecross with midge control

But what happens when you want to go for a nice alfresco dinner without becoming the main course for a load of hungry highland midges?

Camping out at the Applecross Highland Games, a Highland Midge capital, but heaven with plenty of repellent. (right)

To keep the midges off, many people cover themselves with DEET insect repellent, this stuff is very effective midge repellent but it’s available as a smelly oily spray that stains your clothes and makes you feel sticky and grubby. No midges bite you, but the downside is that there is some evidence that this stuff is harmful, especially for children. Oily eucalyptus and lemon sprays and gels also repel the little blighters. My experience with these is that they work well for about 5 minutes.

tartan heart at beauly not a midge in site

Belladrum, Tartan Heart Festival. Great music and a Buffet for midges.

After years of scratching and being covered in gunk, we went and found some alternatives that do the trick but without the smell or toxicity.

Since the 14th of February 2007. Last update was on the 16th of June.