Visiting the west coast in August - midge mayhem?

[BoatieBird]

As a challenge you can try the ones with a sign saying "unsuitable for caravans".

I think we'll pass on that thanks, and stick to the directions given out by the caravan site.

Suggestions for shortish walks would be welcome though please.
They have to be shortish to accommodate the stroppy teen and the short-legged dog

 

[teuchter]

Suggestions for shortish walks would be welcome though please.
They have to be shortish to accommodate the stroppy teen and the short-legged dog

bump the thread nearer the time.

 

[pogofish]

The midgie season seems to be in full swing in the Cairngorms just now:

Man surrounded by swarm of midges in Cairngorms - BBC News

And they were just about as bad in the Grampians last Saturday - I'm still putting cream on the lumps caused by bites in the most unfeasable faces. I only midgie-sprayed my head/face/neck and hands/wrists but the fuckers were considerably more determined than usual!

 

[weltweit]

What do Midges eat when there aren't southerners about?

 

[weepiper]

I got bitten to fuck in Galloway a couple of weeks ago in circumstances not unlike the video. I react badly to them too so I had massive blisters all over my legs

 

[BoatieBird]

The midges were pretty bad for us when we were up in the highlands.
I didn't get bitten at all, the boy got a couple, but poor Mr Boatie was smothered in itchy bites
I'm not in hurry to visit in August again

Mind you, we did get a bit of a let up in the midges when this was happening
Disruption as summer winds batter Scotland - BBC News

 

[StoneRoad]

Don't camp under conifers ... the bliddy midgies seem to hide on them, just waiting for you to walk past. Part of my garden / home wood is shelter belt conifers ...

After being well harassed by some serious bluebottles I got a "buzzbat" as a swotter. It also works on midgies and wasps, the former are so small the electic flash evaporates them.

 

[teuchter]

Trying to deal with midges using a swat seems entirely futile to me.

 

[StoneRoad]

Oh, I wasn't specifically aiming at them, the main target was bigger flies (blue and horse, plus wasps) getting the midgies were quite incidental.

 

[weltweit]

I have been lucky enough to have avoided midges on my last visits to Scotland because it was blowing a gale, but I have been bitten by horseflies plenty of times, don't like them!

 

[TheHoodedClaw]

but I have been bitten by horseflies plenty of times, don't like them!

Jeez, I've only been bitten by a clegg once, and it was nasty. Proper swollen infected area and all. Yuck.

 

[pogofish]

What do Midges eat when there aren't southerners about?

Deer, Eagles and Wildcats!

 

[Ponyutd]

Earlier today at Cairngorms

 

[pogofish]

On the far West it's a very different story - hardly a midge to be seen. In fact tonight, nothing. Even near Lochluichart nr Inverness yesterday tea time, hardly any. Normally that place is midgie-hell central.

What a difference a week or two makes!

 

[pogofish]

No midges again today. The 65kmh winds might be why?

My wee tent does not look inviting just now and several wimp caravaners have just driven off to find shelter elsewhere!

 

[farmerbarleymow]

And they were just about as bad in the Grampians last Saturday - I'm still putting cream on the lumps caused by bites in the most unfeasable faces. I only midgie-sprayed my head/face/neck and hands/wrists but the fuckers were considerably more determined than usual!

I remember being bitten on my dick by midges on one of the family holidays to Scotland in the 1970s. How the fuck they managed to get up/through my clothing remains a mystery. Itched like fuck. :madL

 

[pogofish]

Beinn Eighe - sheltered, boggy, lots of forest. Normally by this time in the day it languishes under a thick haze of particularly fearsome, blood hungry beasties - today, nothing!

 

[pogofish]

Edit - dp

 

[BoatieBird]

Beinn Eighe - sheltered, boggy, lots of forest. Normally by this time in the day it languishes under a thick haze of particularly fearsome, blood hungry beasties - today, nothing!

That's exactly where we were when we got eaten alive.
What a difference a month makes!
Can recommend the food in the Kinlochewe Hotel.

 

[pogofish]

So can I. Been there quite a few times over the years.

 

[pogofish]

Finally found some!

Cannich - at the woodland camp site there and along at Tomich in the woods beyond.

Still not many and a slight waft of repellent was enough to keep them away.

Now enjoying disgustingly nice cake in Beauly!

 

[teuchter]

Finally found some!

Cannich - at the woodland camp site there and along at Tomich in the woods beyond.

Still not many and a slight waft of repellent was enough to keep them away.

Now enjoying disgustingly nice cake in Beauly!

Were you up in Glen Affric / Strathfarrar and that? Can be very beautiful there when the leaves start to turn.

Tomich was the end point of my school bus, back in the last millenium

 

[pogofish]

Glen Affric yes - although I walked up the other side, well beyond Plodda Falls as I've not been up there before. Didn't go up Glen Strathfarrar this time as I've been there before - although it is down for a revisit as I found it a lovely place but I'll prob take a pushbike to make life easier above the dam and need to be home by the end of tomorrow as I've got stuff booked for before I go back to work.

 

[Ponyutd]

Just had a walk around(Google maps) Plodda Falls...
Absolutely stunning scenery. Followed the River Cannich down to Muchrachd, simply beautiful.

 

[pogofish]

Yes - apart from the Glen Affric itself it's a much neglected part of the country with so much to offer. So many people just boil down the more boring Loch Ness Road and miss this area completely.

Well - that's my chance of getting my tent away dry scuppered. Paused for a coffee after stowing everything else and the heavens opened. May go to the nice little cafe for a fry-up to see if it dries a bit before trying again.

Midges hardly an issue this morning - one or two, that's all.

 

[danny la rouge]

Just had a walk around(Google maps) Plodda Falls...
Absolutely stunning scenery. Followed the River Cannich down to Muchrachd, simply beautiful.

Beautiful place.

If you've got time try to do the amazing walk to the Falls of Glamach too:

Falls of Glomach - easiest route (from Morvich) (Walkhighlands)

 

[pogofish]

Yup. I'd have gone that way if it hadn't turned so windy on the west. No loss by coming here though.

Already thinking on my next trip!

 

[teuchter]

You can also walk right through from glen affric to Morvich of course (tends to require a two car arrangement or chauffeur though).

 

[pogofish]

You can also walk right through from glen affric to Morvich of course (tends to require a two car arrangement or chauffeur though).

And stay a night or two at one of Scotland's remotest Youth Hostels as well.

And that's another thing I've wondered about Glen Strathfarrar. I've got a very old map, predating the Hydro scheme that possibly indicated a passable road above the dam that could go right over or very nearly connect to a road that comes out near Dornie and I'd love to go back and trace it further. I got as far as the big pipe across the glen last time but stretches of the road itself looked a bit more substantial and better constructed/surfaced than a typical Hydro road. Hence the desire to go back on a pushbike and see how far I can get, If it was still passable, it would have to be one of the highest roads in Scotland.

 

[gosub]

Mountain Bothy locations in England, Scotland and Wales. MBA