Midges have been around for thousands of years but with climate change, they are increasing their range and extending their season. October, November, December, January, February, and March (early autumn and early spring) are usually midge free months in Scotland because the weather is too cold for them...but it may be chilly for you too! HOW TO DEAL WITH THESCOTTISHMIDGE? This is the go-to midge repellent to use in Scotland for several reasons, the first of which is this stuff simply works. I’ve been using Smidge for years and out of all the insect repellents I’ve used it’s the only one I always make sure I’ve got ready to go in my suitcase. Due to their tiny jaw-span, midges aren't very adept at biting through clothing. It's a good idea to opt for full-length trousers and long-sleeved tops. Your very own midge trap. Keep materials lightweight and breathable if you're hiking in the summer. Get up high

Midges are found in the Highlands of Scotland because they like to lay their eggs in wet soil. All the damp moss and rushes in the Highlands, therefore, makes it a paradise for midge egg-laying. Only half of them bite – male midges prefer chilling and eating – but the females need the protein in their blood to help grow her eggs. And that's where you come in. During their peak population time of July-September, it can be very difficult to avoid swarms of midges ruining your stalking. Moreover, if you find yourself out in the field on a cloudy, warm day, wading through long damp undergrowth, it can be virtually impossible. Not only this, but midges are able to detect carbon dioxide from up to 200 metres away, so if you find yourself walking through the Highlands, moving from drive to drive on the first grouse shoot of the season or stalking stags, they will be able to sense your location and zoom in. Best protection against midges

Wandering around shops and supermarkets across the Highlands during the summer months, you will see tourists clutching this elixir. Our immune systems all react differently to midge bites so some people may experience swelling and itching from the biting whilst others might barely notice. DO MIDGES LIKE SOME PEOPLE MORE THAN OTHERS? You bet they do. Midges, like us, find some people irresistible and others to be just a bit meh...Midges base most of their decision on the way you smell and body temperature. IS IT ENOUGH TO PUT PEOPLE OFF GOING TO SCOTLAND IN SUMMER? Avon’s Skin So Soft This moisturiser was not created as a midge fighter but for some reason, someone realised it works against the beasties. Many people swear by this pleasant smelling body cream as an anti-midge defender. You can buy it online from Avon and many outdoor stores.

Normally no. At least not until afterwards and even then it's usually not too bad. Most of the time we're completely oblivious to midge bites. They usually feed for about 3 or so. Icaridin works similar to DEET, but its adoption is not as widespread. For example, Canada only allowed the use of icaridin in 2012, a long time after the United States and the United Kingdom did. You can also choose to go for a 'stronger' alternative to Smidge with DEET. DEET comes in different strengths - 25% (the standard), 50%, and 100%. Whilst we're not scientists (far from it) and aren't offering an opinion, just note that there have been worries about DEET being carcinogenic so probably best not to bathe in it. If you want the best protection against midges, Skin So Soft from Avon is the ideal choice. It was originally created as a skin moisturiser, scented with citronella oils. However, outdoor types discovered that as well as keeping skin soft, the product was also highly effective at keeping away midges. Via word of mouth, the news spread about this unexpected benefit and Avon attracted a surprising new set of fans. There's usually a first generation (or wave) and a second generation of midges. In the early autumn midge numbers are on the decrease, which is why September and October are great hiking months in Scotland. WHERE BEST TO AVOID MIDGES IN SCOTLAND?Avon Skin So Soft is a beauty product that has been recommended as a midge repellent for years, which I always thought was an old wives tale until I tried it myself. Smidge keeps midges, mosquitoes, horseflies and other biting critters at bay for up to 8 hours with just one application and it’s also water-resistant, so if you feel the need to go wild swimming you won’t have to re-apply it. That’s me and my trusty bottle of Smidge at the Fairy Pools on Skye. Although midges, clegs and the like might be a nuisance, they definitely shouldn't put you off exploring the rugged wilderness that is the Scottish Highlands. Trust us – the views of misty Loch Katrine from the rugged Ben A'an are more than worth a midge bite or two. It’s only the females that bite as they need lots of protein to form their clutches of eggs, but while they mostly feed on cattle and wild animals they’re also quite happy to chow down on any passing human that comes within range whether young, old, male or female. If you're unfamiliar with Scottish dialect, you'd be forgiven for mistaking midges for mosquitos. Both the midge and mosquito bite and draw blood, albeit only female midges are biters. However, mosquitoes are much, much larger than midges.

Dusk and dawn are the most active times for the Highland Midge in midge season. They feed according to light intensity and prefer low-light conditions. Days with lots of cloud cover can, therefore, be some of the worst weather conditions for getting overrun by midges. WHAT ARE THE WORST WEATHER CONDITIONS FOR SCOTTISH MIDGES? Using Avon’s “Bug Guard” is a good solution for a (relatively) cheap repellent that also aids your skin. Regular Avon Skin-So-Soft will work too, but only for a fraction of the time, it seems. Though, it’s better than using other items around your house, such as Listerine. Midge season Scotland usually runs from April to September (the summer months) but depends on the temperature and so can come a bit sooner or last a bit later. While Avon Skin-So-Soft is not as effective as DEET-based repellents, it still does a decent job of repelling mosquitoes. This is possibly due to one of its ingredients, icaridin. 1 2 The midge has a mighty reputation for such a miniscule insect. Weighing just one 8000th of a gram, it has a teeny wingspan of 2-3mm. Midges breed in vast numbers across 25 per cent of Scotland's land mass.When it comes to the worst one, the bath oil and lotion are tied. Neither one excels at repelling mosquitoes, with both only repelling two types of mosquitoes: Aedes and Culex. 6 Citronella and Saltidin (also known as Picaridin and Icaridin) are among the ingredients that midges are said to find repugnant and give a wide berth. Essential oils such as eucalyptus, lavender and lemongrass have been credited with similar properties (more on this in a moment).

Midge bites are very unpleasant and they have been known to bring grown men to tears, mainly because the resulting swelling is maddeningly itchy and can last for several days. This product couldn’t come more highly recommended – it does the job and it is very affordable to boot. A cheeky ascent of Ben Nevis, Britain's highest mountain, should keep you midge free. Stay indoors during dawn and duskMidges are said to enjoy the smell of our natural body odour and sweat which is where using certain scents can come in handy.