Scottish Midges: How to Survive Midge Season

TL;DR — Key takeaways

• What they are: The Scottish biting midge is Culicoides impunctatus, the Highland midge — a tiny fly, about 1–2 mm, whose females bite to feed on blood.
• When: Midge season runs from late May to September, peaking from June to August in the Highlands and on the west coast.
• When they bite: Most active at dawn and dusk, in still, humid, overcast conditions — and worst near bog, moorland and standing water.
• Your best defences: A breeze (they struggle to fly above roughly 7 mph), covering up, a head net, timing your day, and a repellent.
• Repellents: Look for an effective, skin-friendly repellent. incognito® uses PMD, a plant-based active in the same class the CDC and EPA list for biting insects — and it is DEET-free.

If you have ever stood in a Scottish glen at dusk and felt a cloud of tiny insects descend, you have met the Highland midge. Midges do not spread disease in Scotland the way mosquitoes do elsewhere, but their bites are itchy, they swarm in huge numbers, and they can turn a beautiful evening into a retreat indoors. This guide explains when and why midges bite, and the practical steps that actually reduce the misery.

What are Scottish midges?

The Scottish midge people complain about is Culicoides impunctatus, the Highland biting midge. It is a small fly, not a mosquito, and only the females bite — they need a blood meal to develop their eggs. A single midge is almost harmless, but midges rarely arrive alone. In peak conditions a person can attract many hundreds within minutes, and the collective effect of the bites is what makes them notorious across the Highlands, the west coast, and islands such as Skye and Mull.

Do midge bites carry disease?

In Scotland, midge bites are a nuisance rather than a health risk — they are not known to transmit disease to humans. The main problems are intense itching, small red welts, and, for some people, a stronger local reaction. Scratching can break the skin and lead to infection, so the goal is to avoid being bitten in the first place and to soothe any bites you do get.

When is midge season in Scotland?

Midge season broadly runs from late May to September. The first generation appears in mid-to-late May, and numbers build to a peak between June and August, with a second, often larger, generation emerging in late summer. Activity fades through September as temperatures drop. Warm, damp springs tend to bring an earlier, heavier season.

Time of day matters as much as time of year. Midges are most active at dawn and dusk, when the air is cool, calm and humid. The middle of a bright, breezy day is usually the safest window to be outdoors.

What conditions make midges worse?

Midges are weak fliers and fussy about the weather. Understanding what they like tells you when — and where — to expect the worst.

This is why a windy hilltop can be blissfully midge-free while a sheltered, boggy campsite a few hundred metres below is unbearable. If you can choose where to stop, pick somewhere open and breezy.

What attracts midges to you?

Like many biting insects, midges home in on the carbon dioxide you exhale, your body heat, and the moisture and scents on your skin. Dark clothing appears to draw them more than light colours. You cannot switch off your breathing, but you can reduce your other signals: cover exposed skin, avoid strongly scented products, and wear lighter clothes.

How to protect yourself from midges

No single trick beats midges — layering several defences works best:

1. Time it. Plan walks, meals and photography for the middle of a bright, breezy day, and get under cover around dawn and dusk.
2. Choose breezy spots. Even a light wind grounds midges. Favour exposed ground and coastlines over sheltered hollows and bogs.
3. Cover up. Long sleeves, long trousers and closely woven fabric leave less skin to bite. In a bad swarm, a fine midge head net is the single most effective item you can carry.
4. Use a repellent. Apply an effective repellent to any exposed skin, and reapply as directed on the label.
5. Screen your space. Midge nets over tent doors, windows and campervan openings keep sleeping areas liveable.
6. Soothe bites. Resist scratching; a cool compress or an anti-itch product calms the reaction and protects the skin.

How incognito® helps

When you are covering up and timing your day, a reliable repellent is the layer that lets you actually enjoy being outside. Our Insect Repellent Spray 100ml is DEET-free and built around PMD (para-menthane-3,8-diol), a plant-based active derived from Java citronella (Cymbopogon winterianus) — the same class of repellent the CDC and EPA list for skin protection against biting insects. It is clinically proven, vegan and biodegradable, so it is kinder to skin and to the lochs and rivers you are walking beside. For long days on the trail, a pocket-sized Roll-On Insect Repellent 50ml makes reapplication easy. Follow the directions on the label and top up regularly — midges are relentless, and consistent reapplication matters more than any single application.

FAQs

When is the worst time of day for midges in Scotland?
Dawn and dusk are the worst, especially on still, overcast, humid evenings. The middle of a bright, breezy day is usually the most comfortable time to be outdoors.

Does wind keep midges away?
Yes. Midges are weak fliers and are largely grounded once wind rises above roughly 7 mph (12 km/h), which is why exposed, breezy spots have far fewer of them than sheltered hollows.

Do Scottish midges spread disease?
In Scotland, midge bites are considered a nuisance rather than a health risk and are not known to transmit disease to people. The main issues are itching and small red welts.

What months are midge season in Scotland?
Broadly late May to September, peaking from June to August. Numbers depend on the weather, with warm, damp conditions producing the heaviest swarms.

Does a midge head net really work?
Yes — a fine head net is one of the most effective single items for a bad swarm, because it physically blocks midges from reaching your face and neck. Pair it with a repellent on any exposed skin.

Is DEET necessary for midges?
No. Effective DEET-free options exist: repellents based on PMD, a plant-derived active, are listed by health authorities alongside DEET for protection against biting insects.

Sources

• NHS — Insect bites and stings
• CDC — Prevent Mosquito Bites (repellent ingredients incl. OLE/PMD)
• EPA — Skin-Applied Repellent Ingredients

This article is for general information only and is not medical advice. If a bite becomes badly swollen, infected or causes a severe reaction, seek advice from a pharmacist or doctor. Always read and follow the product label.