Hello experts,
We are planning another trip to Scotland, this time to see the Heather. We are looking at booking at the height of Heather season in August. Unfortunately, that seems to be the height of midge season as well. Does anyone have experience in traveling the Highlands at that time of the year? Can we see the heat and survive the midges at the same time? 😊
Posted by
Minnesota🌲
10584 posts
Lots and lots of people do every year, so I don't see any reason why you shouldn't be able to. Pick up some midge repellent at a local store. And I would read through the following search result showing threads that are all about midges. It's a common subject here, so you should be able to find all the information you need about avoiding midges and protecting yourself from them in any one of these posts.
https://search.ricksteves.com/?button=&date_range=2y&filter=Travel+Forum&query=midges
Posted by
Snohomish, WA
71 posts
We did the RS Scotland tour this past August 2025. Weather was absolutely perfect and we did experience midges up in the Highlands. One tour member received a nasty bite on her ankle that was sore for a few days. Take or pick up some repellant.
Posted by
Chicagoland
1408 posts
We've been to the Highlands several times in August and have not had a problem with midges. Midges like wet areas, so you should be able to avoid them. Where are you thinking of going? The Highlands covers a large area.
Follow Mardee's suggestion to buy some Midge repellent if you'll be in an area of activity.
The Scottish Smidge Forecast is a helpful site during Midge season.
Posted by
Freedonia
18107 posts
When you get to Scotland, go to any sporting good store or even a drug store and get a bottle of Smidges. I actually bought it on Amazon.
All of my Scottish friends swear by it.
Posted by
OP
56 posts
THANK YOU, As always y'all came through with great suggestions. When we were in Italy, I left our window open one night in Florence and the next day my legs were covered with mosquito bites. I had a mouse run across my bedsheet sleeping one night while in Cinque Terre where I also left a window open. I guess it is just common sense. If you want to be out in Nature, prepare for it. As long as it's not Alaska where mosquitoes are so dense they will smother you :) We will follow the "Smidge Forecast" and pick up a generous bottle of Smidge once we get to Scotland. Cheers!!
Posted by
Delaware
1672 posts
Hi, tomn,
We've had pretty good luck with Repel, which is available this side of the pond. It's available through Amazon, and also available in many Target stores.
If the forecast is for high midgie presence, be sure to wear long sleeved shirts, and definitely no shorts! You can get midge hats at most outdoor stores. They run about 13 pounds. We've used the Lifesystems headnet. It looks really funny, but you'll be very glad that you have it! Have the clerk at the store show you how to repack it in its pouch. You seriously need an engineering degree to figure it out!
Best wishes for a midgie free holiday!
Mike (Auchterless)