General advice for scotland
- Thread starter Tengu
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They're best worn over a hat with a brim - keeps the net away from your face. If you're wearing a shirt with a collar, tuck the drawstring under your collar before snugging it up.
(I'm assuming it's a head net we're talking about)
Joking aside, a head net can turn unmitigated misery into a good trip - don't underestimate the little bleeders!
Matt
Contrary to popular opinion the sun has been seen from time to time in Scotland. Midge don't like dry sunny days and its often a good idea to stay away from damp vegetation and open water, as they can be worst there. You will need a sense of humour, and depending on where you are going, some rural shops might have a more limited range of goods, especially in the far west.
It can get colder at nights that it does down south so do take some warmer clothes, especially for the evening.
It can get colder at nights that it does down south so do take some warmer clothes, especially for the evening.
Scotland eh..?
your gonna get wet.....
your gonna get eaten...
your gonna love the place....
Oh, and make sure your midge net is a midge net and not just a mozzie net, the highland midge is tiny.....
your gonna get wet.....
your gonna get eaten...
your gonna love the place....
Oh, and make sure your midge net is a midge net and not just a mozzie net, the highland midge is tiny.....
Take a Midge net.
Prepare to learn to love wiskey.
Insect repellant and waterproofs.
A SPARE MIDGE NET especially if your wild camping
and what Jon P said. You Will love the place,midges and all.
Prepare to learn to love wiskey.
Insect repellant and waterproofs.
A SPARE MIDGE NET especially if your wild camping
and what Jon P said. You Will love the place,midges and all.
Scots_Charles_River
Bushcrafter (boy, I've got a lot to say!)
Sun cream and a hat to prevent sunburn. I have a tanned face and arms every year from late march. Skin so soft is worn by path builders.
Midges are worst near freshwater lochs and bogs. Camp in an area exposed to a west (prevailing) wind.
Enjoy
Nick
Midges are worst near freshwater lochs and bogs. Camp in an area exposed to a west (prevailing) wind.
Enjoy
Nick
All good advice above.
I've never got on with skin so soft - it only seems to work if you really lather it on and I hate the oily feel (I think it drowns the midges!), so I do use a deet based repellent when they're really bad.
If you are somewhere suitable, a fire helps keep the midges down, as does any breeze (however, the breeze always tends to drop in the evening when I'm camping on the shores of a loch )
Ticks can be a problem - make sure you inspect yourself every so often and if you find one, remove it carefully (using a specialist tool if possible) - they can spread lymes disease which can be nasty. Whatever you do don't use one of the 'folk' remedies such as covering them in vaseline, burning them etc - they just regurgitate their stomach contents into your bloodstream.
Every time I go canoeing or diving in Scotland I have a great time and every time I get home, I can't wait to get back - enjoy!
Matt
I've never got on with skin so soft - it only seems to work if you really lather it on and I hate the oily feel (I think it drowns the midges!), so I do use a deet based repellent when they're really bad.
If you are somewhere suitable, a fire helps keep the midges down, as does any breeze (however, the breeze always tends to drop in the evening when I'm camping on the shores of a loch
)Ticks can be a problem - make sure you inspect yourself every so often and if you find one, remove it carefully (using a specialist tool if possible) - they can spread lymes disease which can be nasty. Whatever you do don't use one of the 'folk' remedies such as covering them in vaseline, burning them etc - they just regurgitate their stomach contents into your bloodstream.
Every time I go canoeing or diving in Scotland I have a great time and every time I get home, I can't wait to get back - enjoy!
Matt
Stay Away...
there's too many people coming to our wild areas, keep them wild! And keep them all just for me! strangely enough I've just today decided I need a holiday in September / October time, and have seen an absolutely great tour that takes in Skye, the outer Hebrides AND the Orkney Islands... I'm really tempted to get on the phone and book it now...
Great advice (especially the "Don't use vaseline" comment I had no idea they did that eek)
Another thing is to avoid making camp near any large livestock as midges are attracted by their breath.
I also find that a good smoky fire helps keep em at bay.
Kev
PS
Keep an eye out for the elusive, timid yet ferocious Haggis!
Another thing is to avoid making camp near any large livestock as midges are attracted by their breath.
I also find that a good smoky fire helps keep em at bay.
Kev
PS
Keep an eye out for the elusive, timid yet ferocious Haggis!
Aye - but be warned that in many of the more remote parts of the country, the livestock just wander about freely. It's not unusual to wake up surrounded by sheep, or Highland coos, that just weren't there when you went to bed.
Oh, and stay away from the blended whiskies!
get used to whisky before you come to Scotland. that way you can drink it in advance as an elixir before you reach the midges.
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