The best method to stop being bitten in the Highlands is to use a repellent and to recognise the conditions when midges are likely to be most active and avoid going out in them. The WHO, Health Protection Scotland and Public Health England recommend Picaridin for effective protection against biting insects. Midges are present in almost every environment on earth, except in freezing arctic conditions and hot deserts.

We can however arrange carriage for most items however we will need to quote on a case by case basis. The net does its usual job of keeping midges away while the clear lenses allow the viewing of the viewfinder, screen, EVF or ground glass etc. It is also worthwhile noting that while Avon Skin So Soft (and citronella essential oil) will prevent midges from landing on and biting you for a while, if you are in an area where it is particularly high in midges, they will still be all around you. Repellent Sprays and Creams – Invest in quality midge repellent products, like creams and sprays, but ensure they contain one of the following active ingredients: DEET (diethyltoluamide), IR3535 (Ethyl butyl-acetylamino propionate), Saltidin and Citriodiol.The presence of biting midges in Scotland has shaped land use over the centuries, with implications for agriculture, forestry, outdoors recreation and, of course, tourism.

Other members of this family are known as ‘no see ums’ in North America, and have been implicated as vectors for the spread of disease-causing pathogens in the tropics and elsewhere in the world. In fact, when Scotland had a particularly cold and severe winter in 2010, scientists found that the following summer was actually a bumper year for midges. In any case, mosquitoes may become more prevalent as global warming increases its impact on Scotland’s environment. And in the name of sisterhood, once a midge has found a tasty meal, they release pheromones to alert nearby swarms that food is nearby!There are a range of products to stop midge bites itching which are also effective for relief from other insect bites, such as horse flies and mosquitoes. We plan to drive and stop, and just do short hikes (<30 minutes) from the car before driving again, so we are hoping we aren’t too vulnerable. Midges are one of the reasons for the relatively low population of the Scottish Highlands and help keep the wildernesses wild. These places include the north and west coast of Scotland and in the Highlands like Fort William, Glen Coe and the Great Glen. Midge traps are used in problem midge areas to capture midges and reduce midge numbers considerably.