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The Midges Season

VinceVince Member ✭
in General Discussion
I am planning to walk the West Highland way anytime between Spring & Autumn, preferably Sept.
Can anyone advise the best time to avoid the dreaded Midges,please? Having walk through Scotland before I know just how nasty they can be.
Cheers
Vince
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Comments

  • VisitScotlandSarahWVisitScotlandSarahW Member, Moderator, VisitScotland Staff ✩
    Hi @Vince. This will be a wonderful walk! In general midges are much worse in Spring and Summer. Therefore, September would be your best bet. Bear in mind though that September can often be quite mild and if you get the odd mild, humid day you will still experience some midges so best still to bring the repellent! I recommend Avon Skin So Soft!

    I hope this helps. 
  • argyllgirlargyllgirl Member ✭✭
    I recommend Jungle for midges. 
  • YourScotlandTourYourScotlandTour Member ✭✭✭
    Hey Vince, when I was 17 we did the WHW in May time. We wild camped. The midge wasn't too bad at that time.
    Bespoke tours.
    Whisky, Castles and Food a speciality.
    yourscotlandtour.co.uk
  • BushmanBushman Member ✭✭
    I've walked the west highland way three times and hope to make it four soon. The midge likes warm muggy weather so best to avoid July august time but really once your past loch Lomond they become less of a problem anyway. Having checked a few walking site's they all seem to recommend the Avon cream. September or October would be a great time to do it as in October you'll start to see the Autumn colours starting. Its a great walk and you'll really enjoy it.
  • argyllgirlargyllgirl Member ✭✭
    I have tried Avon Skin so Soft and it did not work!
  • Samantha_GrantSamantha_Grant VisitScotland Ambassador ✭✭✭✭
    Hi @Vince September should be ok as they're at their most annoying in summer.  Avon Skin So Soft as mentioned above really works for me.  As does the anti-midge spray made by Pyramid Travel Products - company based in the Scottish Borders.  If you do go in spring or summer make sure you have a tick remover too and know how to use it.  They're the other curse of the Scottish great outdoors.  Thankfully like midgies they're easy to deal with if you have the right tools in your arsenal.  :p. The WWW is a fabulous route and the scenery especially around the Devils Staircase and the Kinlochleven to Fort William section is beautiful. 
    I'm a Scottish travel blogger and freelance writer with an extensive knowledge of travelling in Scotland.  I'm always on the road exploring my wonderful country.  I love remote places, history and the great outdoors. 




  • LochgmarcpLochgmarcp VisitScotland Ambassador ✭✭✭
    That will be a great walk! Just keep moving and the midges will hopefully not bother you too much! I work in forestry, and midges are the only downside to working outdoors! We used to get supplied with Avon skin so soft, until they realised their product was being used for purposes other than intended so removed the active ingredient! But I can highly recommend "smidge" as long as you keep applying it, it works a treat... either that, or a few whiskys the night before your walk ;-) 
    Instagram.com/Lochgmarcp @lochgmarcp
  • prideersprideers Member ✭
    Walking the WHW in May. Only have 4/5 days. What is a good section to walk in a limited time?
  • YourScotlandTourYourScotlandTour Member ✭✭✭
    You can do the whole thing in 5 days. 
    Bespoke tours.
    Whisky, Castles and Food a speciality.
    yourscotlandtour.co.uk
  • VisitScotlandAngelaVisitScotlandAngela Member, Moderator, VisitScotland Staff ✩
    Hi @prideers!  Perhaps you could start off in Drymen and this would miss out the first section of the Way from Milngavie which, although nice, is not just as spectacular as the rest of the route!  I must admit that I have not completed the whole West Highland Way, although the section between Drymen and Balmaha over the Conic Hill takes in some absolutely stunning views of Loch Lomond.  It's also on the Highland Boundary Faultine - where the highlands of Scotland meet the lowlands.  It's just amazing!



    © Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park, all rights reserved.


  • VisitScotlandAlisonVisitScotlandAlison Member, Moderator, VisitScotland Staff ✩
    prideers said:
    Walking the WHW in May. Only have 4/5 days. What is a good section to walk in a limited time?
    I have mountain biked the northern half, from Crianlarich to Fort William over 2 days, so you could probably walk it in 4.  It takes in Rannoch Moor, Glencoe, the Devil's Staircase and Glen Nevis and is  a more open section, whereas the southern half, while still beautiful along Loch Lomond, is more wooded.  If you are very fit you could probably do the whole route in 5 days!   In late May there is plenty of daylight.
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