Midges in Scotland in May?

[eqj60]

We will be on BI cruise and in Scotland in early May 2020.

Planning tour of countryside to Inverness and am concerned re insect bites. Have heard midges (tiny biting insects) are a problem at this time of year. 

Any advice from anyone living there or visited in May?

Many thanks!

[Thejuggler]

Early May could be too cold for midges to be a concern.  Whilst they do bite (only the females) they are more annoying due to their small size.  They are tiny and get in eyes and ears.

 

The west coast is by far the worst area for them, I have never had an issue with midges in the east of Scotland, including Inverness area.

 

You can buy 1001 different potions, remedies etc etc, but avoiding areas where they are likely to be, in particular forests and near lochs is far more sensible, particularly around sunrise and dusk, which is when they appear.

 

You can also pray for windy days!

 

 

[John Bull]

Much the same response as the juggler's.

 

We've been among the lochs of western Scotland (Loch Lomond, Loch Fyne, etc) in late June.

They seem to be most prevalent close to water, but not a problem during the day. It's in the evenings that they enjoy the taste of tourists - because of the midges one lochside pub where we dined  (and probably others) stops serving meals to outdoor tables close to dusk. 

 

A bit of a nuisance, but as far as I'm aware not a health risk.

 

JB 

[eqj60]

Many thanks for your responses!