Latest news with #HighlandMidge
Daily Mail
21-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Your Midgesty! King launches own beard grooming products - made from a midge-repellant plant grown on Balmoral
The dreaded Highland midge is no respecter of rank – and not even a thick beard can stop them going after your Royal blood. But now King Charles has launched a product that could help high-born and commoner alike battle the twin scourges of biting insects and untidy facial hair. The Monarch's range of beard grooming products are made from a midge-repellent plant found on the Balmoral estate. The King's 50,000-acre residence in Aberdeenshire is selling the collection of oils, washes and balms, made in collaboration with local beard care firm Hairy Highlander. They have been infused with wild bog myrtle, hand-foraged from the estate grounds. The plant has long been used for centuries by Highlanders to keep midges away. Its leaves and twigs, when crushed and rubbed on the skin, release a fragrant oil that acts as a natural insect repellent. Balmoral Castle and Estate also said that the shrub 'has long been valued in Highland tradition as part of skin-soothing botanical care – especially in harsh, weather-exposed conditions'. The beard care products feature two signature scents. They are Laird – a bright, citrus-spiced blend of pink grapefruit, lemon verbena, and cinnamon leaf – and Chieftain – a grounding mix of Norwegian fir, cedarwood, and patchouli, inspired by Highland forests. For 30ml of the Chieftain Organic Beard Oil the Balmoral online store charges £25 while a 200ml bottle of the Laird Organic Beard Wash costs £32. A 50ml tub of Chieftain Organic Beard Balm is £27. In a statement, Balmoral Castle and Estate describes the products as 'Expertly crafted in the Highlands by Hairy Highlander. Now available as part of the Balmoral Exclusive Collection.' Family firm Hairy Highlander crafts organic grooming products from wild-harvested botanicals and donates 10 per cent of its profits to rewilding northern Scotland, helping restore native habitats and support long-term ecological regeneration. The company said it was 'a real honour to create this bespoke grooming range for Balmoral Castle'. Balmoral estate set up an online shop to sell merchandise last year and other products include a tartan throw priced at almost £1,000. The store features a range of gifts inspired by the Royal residence including socks, dog leads, baby clothing and beanie hats. The centrepiece of the collection is items made using the newly launched Balmoral hunting tartan which was created by leading designer Araminta Birse-Stewart. They include a £962 cashmere tartan throw, a tartan scarf priced at £385 and a shawl made using the fabric which costs £140. Balmoral has been used as a holiday getaway for the Royal Family since the reign of Queen Victoria. Queen Elizabeth II passed away there aged 96 in September 2022. The King is due to travel to Balmoral for his traditional summer holiday next month and the estate closes to the public on August 10.
Daily Record
18-06-2025
- Climate
- Daily Record
Midges will stay away if you use these type of lights in the garden this summer
The dreaded midge is a blight on warmer nights in Scotland. But a simple tip can keep them away from your outdoor space We've all been there. Trying to relax or entertain in the garden on a warm summer's evening only to be eaten alive by the notorious midge who seem set on destroying any outdoor fun at this time of year. These pesky critters are most active between May and September but can ramp up their assault on the population in July and August. It means enjoying an evening in the garden can be problematic for householders as they swarm and bite. Our damper climate and long summer evenings are the perfect playground for midges which are prevalent across the west coast and in the Highlands. The Scottish Midge Forecast shows there are currently high levels of midge around the Glencoe are of the country with Fort William also seeing large numbers. But there is plenty of time and good weather on the horizon to allow them to do their worst. Experts are now recommending that installing a certain type of light in gardens could be the answer to keeping them at bay. Unlike mosquitoes, midge bites are not dangerous but most Scots have tried various ways to keep the pesky pests, the most infamous being the Highland Midge, at bay. They are most active at dawn and again at dusk and particularly when the weather is still and humid. Attracted to carbon dioxide, body heat and sweat, they gather in large swarms around people and animals. Jon Saeed, managing director of Lighting Legends, said the choice of lighting in your garden is key. Cooler white or blue lights will attract midges more than warmer yellow or orange tones. Switching to garden lighting with a colour temperature between 2,200K and 2,700K can help reduce their presence. Jon said: 'Swarming midges are a summer reality for many families across Scotland, particularly in rural and lochside areas where damp conditions are common. 'These tiny insects are most active during the cooler hours of early morning and evening, often arriving in thick swarms that can quickly spoil outdoor gatherings and make enjoying the garden a challenge. 'Simple changes can make a big difference. Choosing warm-toned lighting with a lower colour temperature - around 2,200K to 2,700K - helps reduce the attraction of midges to outdoor spaces. 'Practical steps such as keeping the garden tidy and creating gentle airflow with fans can also significantly improve comfort during those peak midge times.' And he has highlighted seven other ways to reduce a midge invasion in your garden this summer. Seven ways to deter the dreaded midge from your garden 1. Reduce damp soil and vegetation Unlike mosquitoes, midges lay eggs in damp soil and decaying plant matter rather than standing water. Keeping garden beds tidy, improving drainage, and removing leaf litter, mossy patches, or rotting vegetation can help disrupt breeding grounds and make the area less appealing to swarms. 2. Set up fans or choose breezy areas Midges are weak fliers and avoid even light wind. Setting up garden fans or seating areas in naturally breezy spots can provide an effective barrier, especially during peak midge times in the early morning and evening. 3. Wear insect-repellent treated clothing and use topical repellents For areas with high midge activity, wearing long sleeves and trousers treated with insect repellent can help prevent bites. DEET-based sprays are commonly recommended, but natural alternatives like citronella or lemon eucalyptus can also offer protection when reapplied regularly. 4. Avoid outdoor activities at dawn and dusk Midges are most active at sunrise and sunset, when conditions are cool and still. Where possible, avoid sitting out during these peak hours and plan garden activities for midday, when midge numbers tend to drop. 5. Maintain garden hygiene Overgrown areas and piles of damp leaves, grass cuttings or mulch create perfect conditions for midges. Regularly mowing lawns, trimming back bushes, and keeping the garden clear of organic debris helps reduce suitable habitats and limits breeding spots. 6. Encourage natural predators Birds, bats, and dragonflies feed on midges and can provide natural population control. Installing bird feeders, bat boxes, and small water features encourages these helpful species to visit and stay in the garden. 7. Consider mosquito and midge traps Some electric traps emit carbon dioxide and warmth to mimic human scent and body heat, attracting and killing midges. While results can vary depending on placement and model, they can be a useful addition for gardens in high-risk areas.
Daily Record
17-06-2025
- Daily Record
The Scottish 'midge map' that shows insect forecast across country this summer
Some places in Scotland are worse for midges than others. A map shows where in Scotland people are most likely to be swarmed by midges. With summer kicking off, the peak of midge season is just beginning. Midges are small flying insects, usually with a wingspan of between just two and three millimetres, that are found in Scotland. There are dozens of different species of midge in the country, but the Highland Midge is the most infamous. Peak midge season is usually considered to be between June and August, though can be anywhere between April and October. Without repellent and protective clothing, midges can easily ruin a hike or camping trip. To help Scots and tourists avoid nasty bites, midge repellent specialists Smidge have devised The Scottish Midge Forecast. The forecast is a regularly updated interactive map that shows where in Scotland there are the greatest number of midges. The Scottish Midge Forecast uses a five-step scale. A rating of 'one' for a location means visitors are unlikely to be disturbed by the flying insects there, whereas a rating of 'five' means there is a high number of midges in the area. The forecast is made using information recorded from specialised biting midge traps and small weather stations. The data is then combined with weather forecast reports to give an overall picture of midge levels across the country. On Tuesday, June 17, The Scottish Midge Forecast reports a midge rating of four around Glencoe. This means that those heading to the iconic Scottish beauty spot will need to prepare in order to avoid nasty bites. Elsewhere, nearby Fort William reports a rating of three. With the town known as a gateway to the Highlands, and being a popular day-trip destination, holidaymakers will need to be careful of midges over the coming days. On the other hand, the stations around the Cairngorms National Park show a midge rating of just one. Therefore, hikes around Braemar and Aviemore should currently be safe from midges. In general, midges are most common in the western Highlands and islands. The insects especially like damp, sheltered, and boggy areas, while they dislike windy and sunny conditions. In addition to wearing midge repellent, there are a number of other steps people can take to minimise their risk of getting bitten. Wearing white or bright coloured clothing, long sleeves, and a head net can help protect against bites. Another thing you can do to reduce your chances of being bothered by midges is to avoid walking around during times when they are most active. The insects particularly like low-light conditions, which means you should stay away from dawn and dusk hikes if possible. The Smidge website states: "The Scottish Midge Forecast is created using data collected from biting midge traps and mini-weather stations across Scotland. "This is extended using weather forecast data, giving you a big picture view of midge levels across Scotland throughout the season."
