Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > Europe
Best summer month to avoid midgets in Scotland? Best summer month to avoid midgets in Scotland?
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
Europe Topics specific to Western and Eastern Europe, from UK to the Russian border, and south-east to Turkey.
Photo by Sean Howman, The Pamir highway in an unseasonably cold late October, Tajikistan

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Sean Howman,
The Pamir highway in an unseasonably
cold late October, Tajikistan



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 5 Jun 2009
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 15
Best summer month to avoid midgets in Scotland?
Best summer month to avoid midgets in Scotland?

I am planning a 3 month England, Wales, Soctland, N. Ireland, and Ireland summer trip (starting in Brighton, and working up the west coast (via Wales). My question is when to arrive in Scotland when the insect problem (midgets) is not as severe? I am planning on a hiking tour of Scotland, and hitchhiking as well. If I know when the best time to visit Scotland is, I'll know to start 3-4 weeks earlier in Brighton. It should take a bout a month to take in SW England, Wales, and NE England (before entering Scotland).

Thanks
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 5 Jun 2009
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 236
The funniest thing ive read this year...
MIDGETS! why would you want to avoid midgets in scotland?!?

sorry, cant stop laughing....

Midges is the word your after lol
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 5 Jun 2009
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Dreaming of travelling and riding bikes in general..
Posts: 445
good question!
Brilliant. I haven't laughed so much in ages
__________________
Find out details of my 2011 trip to Siberia on a lightweight dirtbike:
www.brighton2expeditions.co.uk
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 5 Jun 2009
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Staffordshire. uk
Posts: 766


Watch out there's a midget about!
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 6 Jun 2009
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Glasgow
Posts: 296
Hi, the midges are out in full force at the moment, i lasted 15 minutes sitting outside last night. it won't get much better for months . The best time to avoid midges is Easter until early May. Andy
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 6 Jun 2009
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Newcastle upon Tyne UK
Posts: 252
Andy

I was in Stirling 2 weeks ago for the bank holiday and I got eaten alive !!

Going up again next weekend to John O'Groats... So will be better protected.

My question is... what month later in the year do they start to disappear?

Cheers
Geordie
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 6 Jun 2009
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Staffordshire. uk
Posts: 766
I usually save Scotland until the first two weeks in September. Most of the midges are gone and so have the tourists. Both are annoying! I've had a lot of luck with the weather too, late in the season.

I was in Applecross for the raftrace in August last year and it was alive with midges, ALIVE I tells ya! But don't let it put you off you can use repellant and midge nets.

The Highlands are an amazing sight. Great views sewn together with great roads, not to be missed.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 6 Jun 2009
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Langholm,Scotland,UK.
Posts: 155
Have a look here Midge Forecast : forecast today's a good day for no midges, windy and cold



Trophymick
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 6 Jun 2009
Matt Cartney's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Edinburgh, Lothian, Scotland
Posts: 1,350
The best months in Scotland to avoid midges is April, May and September. Before or after is a little cold and wet for trekking unless you don't mind that kind of thing and are properly equipped. The bad months are obviously June to August.

The best way to avoid being bitten is to wear a midge headnet. But buy it in Scotland, generic ones from international companies (i.e. Lifesystems) are designed to keep out mosquitos and the midges just fly straight through them.

A little bit of wind gets rid of them so try to camp high and in exposed places (unless the forecast is bad of course!).

Its been a dry spring/early summer, so hopefully they won't be too bad this year.

Matt
__________________
http://adventure-writing.blogspot.com

http://scotlandnepal.blogspot.com/

*Disclaimer* - I am not saying my bike is better than your bike. I am not saying my way is better than your way. I am not mocking your religion/politics/other belief system. When reading my post imagine me sitting behind a frothing pint of ale, smiling and offering you a bag of peanuts. This is the sentiment in which my post is made. Please accept it as such!
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 6 Jun 2009
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: U.K
Posts: 22
Everything you need to know about Midges, I've used Deet whenever I've been up there in season and it's worked brilliantly, went up to the Yorkshire dales last week and didn't even take a hat and got eaten alive.

Scottish Midges Feature Page on Undiscovered Scotland
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 8 Jun 2009
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Oslo, Norway
Posts: 17
I wanted to take a ride in Scotland up until just now. Why don't you ask your yankee friends if they have any suitable chemicals left from Vietnam (guess even US Army is green these days) and get rid of the problem?
Reply With Quote
Reply

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
which landrover to avoid? marker Light Overland Vehicle Tech 63 4 Jul 2010 10:09
How to avoid wet behind when raining? Danquart Suzuki Tech 5 24 Oct 2007 20:40
Where to Avoid Explorer1114 Route Planning 2 3 Oct 2007 17:16
Places to avoid? Tenere Tom Travellers' Advisories, Safety and Security on the Road 12 21 Aug 2007 10:17
How best to avoid Columbia? IanElsley South America 6 11 Aug 2003 04:13

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

25 years of HU Events
Be sure to join us for this huge milestone!

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

Virginia: April 24-27
Queensland is back! May 2-5
Ecuador June 13-15
Germany Summer: May 29-June 1
CanWest: July 10-13
Switzerland: Aug 14-17
Romania: Date TBC
Austria: Sept. 11-14
California: September 18-21
France: September 19-21
Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes.
(ONLY US RESIDENTS and currently has a limit of 60 days.)

Ripcord Evacuation Insurance is available for ALL nationalities.


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Every book a diary
Every chapter a day
Every day a journey
Refreshingly honest and compelling tales: the hights and lows of a life on the road. Solo, unsupported, budget journeys of discovery.
Authentic, engaging and evocative travel memoirs, overland, around the world and through life.
All 8 books available from the author or as eBooks and audio books



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 03:35.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top