17-06-2025
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."
