Five top tips for dealing with midges on the NC500
The summer months are a beautiful time of year to visit the north of Scotland, thanks to the long days and warmer temperatures. Unfortunately, midges also thrive in these conditions, and small though they may be, a swarm of them can cast a cloud over even the best-planned day out. There are plenty of ways, however, to prepare for midge season, so follow our five top tips below for dealing with midges on the NC500 and keep the beasties at bay.
What is a midge?
Otherwise known by their official name of culcoides impunctatus, a midge is a small insect with teeth, wings, and an unpleasant fondness for feeding on human blood. Although they’re rarely painful and don’t spread diseases, midge bites can be quite uncomfortable, not to mention extremely annoying.
Top tip one: stick by the coast
Midges thrive in warm, still conditions, and thanks to their tiny wings, it only takes a wind speed of around 5 – 7mph to dispel them. All the more reason, then, to take advantage of Scotland’s beautiful breezy coastline! This is of course no great hardship, as the NC500 is dotted with some of the country’s most stunning beaches.
Top tip two: wear a midge net
You might not win any fashion awards, but that won’t matter when you’re watching the swarms from the safety of your midge net! Covering up any exposed skin is generally the best way to protect yourself from midge bites, particularly in light-coloured fabrics, as midges are drawn towards dark colours which are easier for them to detect.
Top tip three: enjoy indoor activities
Sometimes there’s just no avoiding them, so on those particularly still, damp days (midges’ preferred climate) perhaps enjoy some of the plethora of indoor activities on offer across the NC500 route. There are plenty of museums, shops, cafes, galleries and heritage centres ideally placed to offer refuge from the midge mob.
Top tip four: invest in midge repellent
Whilst midge repellents won’t completely eradicate bites, it may be worth investing in repellent to minimise their effect. Various brands are available on the market in the form of sprays as well as ‘repellent wristbands’, whilst midges are also said to be averse to citric smells, making citronella oil another potential deterrent.
Top tip five: avoid dawn and dusk
Midges are most active at dawn and dusk, so if you’re planning to get out and about, these times are best avoided – considering that the sun rises in the small hours and sets very late at night during the Scottish summer, this shouldn’t be too difficult!
Annoying though they may be, midges are an important food source for a number of wild animals, so we wouldn’t want to be rid of them completely. With the tips above and a little forward planning, you’ll be best placed to enjoy all the beauty that northern Scotland has to offer with minimal midge interference.
