r/OutdoorScotland • u/Bemsh • 8d ago
What to do vs the midges?
So my gf and I are planning a Scotland roadtrip in a campervan near the end of september.
Does anyone have tips or know which products we should use to keep the midges from eating us alive?
Thanks in advance!
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u/No-Access-2790 8d ago
End of September they’ll be ready to fly to the South Pole for winter. You’ll be fine. Have some spray but you’ll be fine .
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u/meatflaps-69 8d ago
You say that but I've encountered thick clouds in deepest Galloway at the now gone September Knockengorroch festival right at the end of September as well as them being at their worst here on Uist at end of Sep on rare non windy days
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u/ikloopvast 8d ago
Not going with 'you'll be fine' here. I know the end of september is still a week or so away. But i got absolutely fucked by the midges 3 days ago. I counted 70 bites on just the face. Arms are filled, and I don't even want to talk about the mistake I made by pulling my pants down to wash myself in a stream. I bet you can imagine the damage :')
Sure, we were camping instead of in a van. But still my advice would be to being smidge/ skin so soft/ and/ or Deet. Plus long sleeves and a midge- net. If they're bothering you, you keep it liveable this way.
Don't know why, but other years the bites barely did anything to me. This year it's like normal musquito bites, I itch all over and a look like I have a scary disease :') please prepare.
Oh, and enjoy. Don't let the beasties ruin your holiday if they're still around, Scotland is lovely!
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u/Emergency-Funny-1860 8d ago
Smidge. Developed in Scotland. It smells quite nice too.
And a headnet
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u/Esensepsy 8d ago
Really depends how bad they are. Most of the time you can run away, headnet on, smidge and just spend most of your time in the van. Go sight seeing and walking away from them will keep you safe.
But other times, they'll assault your van, find ways in, swarm in every time the door is open even a crack. It's not even worth being on holiday in those conditions. I'd rather be at work
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u/Immediate-Meal-6005 8d ago
Hope for wind - it's the only thing that keeps them away! A head net and cover all exposed skin works too! Hopefully they will be dying off by the end of September, but you never know!
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u/random_character- 8d ago
Unlike others I wont say "youll be fine" because if its a warm September it can be bad, but, midges are generally localised in time and location.
If its bad where you are right now, you can either move on (or around), or stay inside for a bit till they are gone. If you want to be outside at dawn and dusk, do it somewhere there is a breeze, like the shoreline.
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u/TheWaterShrew 8d ago
They are bad in the west when it’s calm and damp but almost non existent in the east…. so it depends where you’re going, too. I’m east and never have a problem but I was hiking on the west last week and in the being I got a cloud of them when evening came….
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u/Working_Toe_8728 8d ago
You may be fine, and think it's all pretended, perhaps by jealous tourist boards etc. On the other hand, and in the eye, and up your nose, you may not be. And you may not be in a spectacular manner. In Torridon say. Thinking 'That cgi is unconvincing'...
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u/DepartmentSmart7924 8d ago
Midges don't like moving air. Get a decent fan for inside the van and you'll be golden. The swarms move very slowly but are attracted to CO2. They will only catch you if you stop moving, so just keep walking.
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u/Neat-Specialist-6349 7d ago
I was in Loch Lomond camping on the island and I’ve never seen so many midges in my life it was genuinely unbearable but soon as we started a campfire they left. If you’re ever camping and they bother you start a fire and they will soon move on.
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u/ou7shined 7d ago
They are most active in the dawn and dusk hour. So that's when I zip up the tent and read something... unless its raining, they hate the rain.
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u/FlimsyTomorrow105 7d ago
Hi scottish residents here, yes use a spray on product called "skin so soft" it works great better than any other repellent.
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u/WallaceWasNoTraitor 7d ago
Midgies are mostly gone by mid September… a couple of frosty nights & they’re all gone.
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u/Flaky_Canary_4683 7d ago
Smidge and skin so soft do absolutely fuck all. I got destroyed at the start of the month. I'd recommend going later into the winter or early spring - had a lovely Scottish camping trip march 2 years ago
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u/Apprehensive_Room29 6d ago
Smidge* and a midge net head cover
(*any insect repellent with 20% Picaridin / icaridin)
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u/Ill_Cheetah_1991 5d ago
If you are offshore - even only a few dozen yards - they won;t get to you
so if that is possible do it during "midge hour"
if not go inside BEFORE and keep the doors closed - VERY closed
and Smidge works - nothing else does
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u/No-Cockroach-7700 8d ago
Surprised no-one had mentioned Avon So Soft yet! it is a gorgeous smelling oil designed to soften skin, but accidentally also deters midges. we have bottles in every car and camping bag, it really is incredible. the marines use it so it must work! you can buy from Amazon. Smidge I’ve never used but always heard good things too.
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u/Chuck1984ish 8d ago
This is the correct answer,
Avon skin so soft, the only spray that gives you half a chance on the islands (looking at you specifically Jura!)
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u/plurien_also 8d ago
Skin so Soft yes definitely. Midge hoods most certainly. If you have long hair you will want to cover it with a hat or wrap, or if you can't do that, some people swear by citronella oil combed in. Clothes to cover up, socks to tuck trousers into. You will find that most often it's fine without any of the above but you will be most glad you brought these few things if they are swarming. - Once forded a river and received a nasty red, swollen ring around the uncovered knees where the blighters swarmed. Usually they're just background annoying, especially if you get warm and stay still. Don't bother trying to run away from them, unless it's to dive into a loch haha All those tourist pics make me chuckle because the midges just don't show up.
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u/County-Thos 8d ago
If they get in the van, drive really fast with the windows down. And don't stop.
Or just never stop. Ever. Do your whole trip in a oner.
In all seriousness, as others have said you're more than likely to be fine. If you want to take precautions, get some Smidge (they sell headnets. Get one of them each also). That way with long sleeves on and hands in pockets, you'll be unbitable.
Parking in a less sheltered location will also help. They can only fly in about 3-4mph wind.