Alistair Fraser
Why Midges Matter in the Highlands
If you have spent a summer evening in the Scottish Highlands, you will know the midge. These tiny biting flies, mainly Culicoides impunctatus, are a genuine feature of our landscape. They are not dangerous, but they are relentless. A cloud can turn a perfect camp into a retreat, and a calm lochside stroll into a swatting session. Understanding them is the first step to sharing their world without losing your sanity. Midges are most active from May to September, peaking in July and August. The first hard frost of autumn usually ends the season. Only the females bite, needing a blood meal to develop eggs. They are weak fliers, poor in wind, and they thrive in still, damp conditions near water, bog and woodland.
The Conditions They Love
Midges are creatures of calm, humid air. They are most active when wind speeds are below 5 mph (8 km/h), temperatures are above 10°C, and humidity is high. Overcast days are worse than bright sunny ones, because strong sun dries them out and makes them seek shade. Dawn and dusk are peak biting times, especially the two hours around sunset. They breed in wet soil, peat bogs, and the edges of lochs and streams. A sheltered glen with a burn running through it is midge heaven. On the other hand, an exposed ridge, a windy beach, or a sunlit mountain top can be almost midge-free. The difference can be dramatic: a hundred metres of ascent into a breeze may be all the relief you need.
Timing Your Walk Around the Weather
The single most effective midge strategy is to walk when they cannot fly. Plan your day around wind and sun. Check a forecast that gives wind speed and direction. If a steady breeze of 6–10 mph is predicted, head for the hills. If it is dead calm, consider a low-level walk on an open, sunny coast instead of a sheltered forest. Midday, especially on a bright day, is often better than early morning or evening. If you must walk at dusk, choose an exposed route: a ridge line, a coastal headland, or a wide, open moor. Avoid lee shores of lochs, deep glens, and dense birch woods. Midges do not travel far from their breeding sites, so moving uphill and into the wind can leave them behind.
Clothing and Barriers That Work
Covering up is simple and reliable. Wear long sleeves, long trousers, and tuck your trousers into socks or gaiters. Midges can crawl through loose weaves, so choose tightly woven fabrics. A head net is the most valuable piece of kit.
- Choose a fine mesh that keeps out even the smallest midge.
- Wear a wide-brimmed hat underneath so the net stays off your face, and tuck the bottom into your collar.
- Use fingerless gloves for map and camera work.
- If you wear a midge jacket or smock, make sure the hood fits closely and the cuffs seal.
Remember that midges can bite through thin, tight clothing, so avoid leggings or thin cotton where they can press against skin. A buff or scarf around the neck helps, too.
Repellents and After-Bite Care
When barriers are not enough, repellents buy you time. Products containing DEET (20–50%), picaridin (also called icaridin, around 20%), or PMD (oil of lemon eucalyptus) are effective. Apply to exposed skin and reapply every few hours, especially if you are sweating. Do not apply to broken skin, eyes, or mouth, and use lower concentrations for children. Some people swear by vitamin B1 or garlic, but scientific evidence is weak. Permethrin-treated clothing can add protection against ticks and may help with midges, but follow the instructions carefully. If you are bitten, resist the urge to scratch. Clean the area, apply a cool compress, and use an antihistamine cream or oral antihistamine. Hydrocortisone can reduce swelling. Midge bites can itch for days, so pack a small after-bite kit. Prevention is far better than cure.
Photography in Midge Country
Landscape photographers face a paradox: the golden hour, with its soft light and long shadows, is also the midge hour. You can still get your shot. Choose locations that are exposed to wind: mountain summits, coastal cliffs, or the shores of a large, open loch where a breeze funnels through. Set up quickly. Keep your camera bag zipped and change lenses inside a car, tent, or large dry bag. Midges can crawl into lens barrels and viewfinders, so use a blower to gently remove them rather than wiping, which can smear. Avoid applying repellent to your hands before handling cameras; DEET can damage plastics and coatings. Instead, wear a head net and gloves, or use repellent on your face and neck only, and wash your hands before touching gear. A microfibre cloth over the camera between shots helps. If you want to photograph midges themselves, a macro lens and a still, shaded spot will do it, but they rarely sit still. For most of us, the goal is to capture the landscape without becoming a blood meal. Embrace the wind, plan for the calm, and the Highlands will reward you.
