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Scotland Midge alert on BBC today

I was reading that earlier - luckily we don’t get the blighters where we live in Aberdeenshire.
But on holiday next week, wanted to head south and west of Scotland or northern England but hint of even hotter weather in UK in some weather forecasts makes us think of heading to north Scotland - but the midge threat messes that up
 
AndrewCook680 said:
I was reading that earlier - luckily we don’t get the blighters where we live in Aberdeenshire.
But on holiday next week, wanted to head south and west of Scotland or northern England but hint of even hotter weather in UK in some weather forecasts makes us think of heading to north Scotland - but the midge threat messes that up
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A few around Fort William at moment, expecting more after rain. Just had 16days in cali up far north, one evening of midge that was it and zero rain.
 
Feeling thankful we decided to do the NC500 in the shoulder season of April - not too many white whales, good site availability, fair weather and zero midges.
 
All a bit academic. Rarely do you get just a few midgies. Usually you get an overwhelming number when they’re up, at any time. Strong sunshine, dry and windy keeps them down. Humid, still and overcast, stay indoors or keep moving.
 
dspuk said:
Feeling thankful we decided to do the NC500 in the shoulder season of April - not too many white whales, good site availability, fair weather and zero midges.
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We were not doing the 500, but was easy to get a pitch when needed without hookup.
 
I wonder if the midge explosion will apply to more than just Scotland and extend to the upland areas of Northern England too (Lakes, Dales etc..) which I find can be pretty midgey already in the summer.
 
RockinNRollin said:
I wonder if the midge explosion will apply to more than just Scotland and extend to the upland areas of Northern England too (Lakes, Dales etc..) which I find can be pretty midgey already in the summer.
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Lakes anecdotally are getting worse for midge a farmer told me. The peak can be bad too, well not by west coast standards !
 
RockinNRollin said:
I wonder if the midge explosion will apply to more than just Scotland and extend to the upland areas of Northern England too (Lakes, Dales etc..) which I find can be pretty midgey already in the summer.
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We live in Cumbria and get midges in the evening from probably end of May but they are no way near as aggressive as the west coast Scottish ones and number no way near as bad.

Our issue is horse flys at the moment they are awful and everywhere
 
Jdorling said:
We live in Cumbria and get midges in the evening from probably end of May but they are no way near as aggressive as the west coast Scottish ones and number no way near as bad.

Our issue is horse flys at the moment they are awful and everywhere
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Yes I was being assaulted by them in Eskdale last weekend. Not as bad as I’ve known them in Langdale but still unpleasant. At least the standard Cali fly screens will keep out horse flies unlike midges!
 
johna said:
All a bit academic. Rarely do you get just a few midgies. Usually you get an overwhelming number when they’re up, at any time. Strong sunshine, dry and windy keeps them down. Humid, still and overcast, stay indoors or keep moving.
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That depends on the area as here we get the odd few and in certain areas, luckily they still haven’t found the cottage.
Glenlivet estate is mainly safe, you get some never the rivers.
 
The Blue Merle said:
That depends on the area as here we get the odd few and in certain areas, luckily they still haven’t found the cottage.
Glenlivet estate is mainly safe, you get some never the rivers.
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True, my view is as someone living on the West coast. Though I had them almost as bad in the Yorkshire Dales last year.
 
johna said:
True, my view is as someone living on the West coast. Though I had them almost as bad in the Yorkshire Dales last year.
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We have had some rain here but no signs of the midge Armageddon yet.
 
Anthony1 said:
I believe these blighters can get through the mosquito screens on the van.
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Fortunately we just got back from the NC500 before they started to hatch but we have a magnetic sliding door screen that they won't get through, and takes up no space.. it can be seen in our latest video just posted. I give a quick demo of it.
 
markheathcote said:
Fortunately we just got back from the NC500 before they started to hatch but we have a magnetic sliding door screen that they won't get through, and takes up no space.. it can be seen in our latest video just posted. I give a quick demo of it.
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Couldn't find the midget net video. Can you post a link please? I saw the smelly van and fire pit video though. We just got back from Italy etc and lot os mossies in the van. 'Er in doors spent ages swatting them. Still got lots of bites.

Found it. Nice trip, great photos. Thank you.
 
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Don't forget to check for ticks if you go walk about. Our dogs have picked up loads this year. Midges I can tolerate but not ticks.
 
Digger said:
Don't forget to check for ticks if you go walk about. Our dogs have picked up loads this year. Midges I can tolerate but not ticks.
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Very true and a potential cause of Lyme disease - very unpleasant!!
 
Zeb is getting around one every other day at the moment. Tend to get them as there crawling on his face, plus he has the tick spot on stuff if they do bite him.
 
Digger said:
Don't forget to check for ticks if you go walk about. Our dogs have picked up loads this year. Midges I can tolerate but not ticks.
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Evil things ticks, not bad any this year but if going off into the grass tend to long trousers. My preference is tight fit round socks and smidge on lower legs inside trousers plus in socks.
 
I’m currently doing my NC500 - there were a few midges around L Lomond on Tues 20th evening only but none at all at Fort William, Applecross or today at Alchmelvich Bay (mind you, it’s currently blowing and raining!!).
 
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