Cycling UK Forum

From time to time there are posts asking about the Scottish midge. First-time visitors sometimes wonder whether it really deserves its ferocious reputation - this recent photograph by James Milligan taken in Ardnamurchan (one of the midgiest places in Scotland) may help them decide for themselves:



From BBC News Scotland

from the size of it been feeding on large Scotish legs and arms

The West Coast is definitely the worst - I have to time my tours specifically to avoid the worst of the midges. However, on the rare occasion that I've had to go in the summer months (climbing/walking rather than cycling) I've taken all the precautions possible.

Great photo!

They're pretty much gone for the year now That fella has had a few lumps of out of me this year

mercalia wrote:from the size of it been feeding on large Scotish legs and arms

Not just Scottish ones - think of all those unsuspecting (or unbelieving) foreigners!

I was chugging up this hill at the Bridge of Brown last year, slow enough for them to get me. All I could imagine was this swarm flying in one ear, out of the other, being inhaled and hoping they were enjoying their feast, and maybe get blood poisoning for biting an Englishman.

I remember a visit to the small grocer in Glencoe some years ago and noted they only had about two vegetables for sale but had a choice of six different kinds of midge repellent. I thought that rather telling - and perhaps indicated that none of the repellants worked that well else they'd only have stocked one or two

They probably have seven different kinds of midge:

There were several different kinds of bugs
And some had feet like dyers' clugs
They got in our hair and they got in our lugs
And cried "Hurrah for Rothesay-o".

Camped in Braemar in the 70s and saw nary a one despite it being a bit marshy 100 yds downstream.

We were up on the Ardnamurchan peninsula the last week in August and it was particularly bad
We stayed in a Log-cabin in Strontian and got bit to *$%£ despite trying Jungle Formula extreme and Avon skin so soft
The only thing that seemed to work was burning Citronella Candles both inside the Cabin and out!

Stunning area but didn't care for the cycling much

I reject the idea that Scottish midges are more feisty than Welsh ones. Some year ago I had to work in a Welsh conifer plantation on a damp, misty day and the blighters made a meal of me. When I got home my face was so blotched and swollen that my wife was all for taking me to A&E.

pwa wrote:I reject the idea that Scottish midges are more feisty than Welsh ones. Some year ago I had to work in a Welsh conifer plantation on a damp, misty day and the blighters made a meal of me. When I got home my face was so blotched and swollen that my wife was all for taking me to A&E.

I wouldn't venture to the West Highlands then if I were you.......you not make it out of there in one piece

Never been bit in Wales.Didn't realise they had biting midges?

The midges are no bother when you are actually cycling as they are weak fliers. The cleg on the other hand will easily keep up with you on the hills and can give through your clothing.