Scotland ‘midge map’ forecast shows insect hotspots ahead of July peak

A ‘midge map’ reveals the areas in Scotland where you are most likely to be swarmed by the flying insects at any given time.

As we approach the start of July and the peak of the summer season, midges will become more of a nuisance. The tiny insects, which are commonly found in more rural and wet areas of the country, are infamous for their nasty bites and can ruin any day out.

While midges are common in Scotland between May and September, July and August are widely considered to be the months when they are at their worst. To help locals and tourists alike avoid nasty bites, midge repellent company Smidge has put together The Scottish Midge Forecast.

The Scottish Midge Forecast is a map that shows the five-day forecast for midge levels all over Scotland, based on a scale from one to five. According to the Smidge website, a rating of one indicates that midge levels are low while a reading of five means they are at their most “annoying”.

Looking at the map, the area around Glencoe looks to be worst for midges over the next five days, with a rating of four. The small village is located on the southern bank of the River Coe, with the wet conditions being perfect for the tiny bloodsuckers.

Other areas of Scotland where you are more likely to be swarmed by midges in the coming days include many parts of the Western Highlands such as Lochcarron and Torridon. With this region famous as a midge hotspot, anyone travelling here should avoid dawn and dusk when the bugs are most active.

Meanwhile, the entire Central Belt of Scotland has a rating of one over the next five days. Those looking to head out for a walk or a camping trip this weekend looking to avoid midges will likely have better luck in the south of Scotland.

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.”

More information about The Scottish Midge Forecast can be found on the Smidge website.

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