If one thing can make a day in the Scottish Hills utterly miserable it is our native version of the mosquito-the midge. These are small, biting insects that love warm, still mornings and evenings. They will feed on any exposed human flesh, driving sane people to whirling, swearing balls of misery. This can, however, be avoided.
Firstly, midge nets. There cost at most £5 and weigh very little. Typically they will cover the head, drawing tight around the neck though I simply tuck mine under my t-shirt. This will keep the little blighters out of your face and eyes.
Next, to the arms and legs. Now we enter the domain of the midge repellant and from personal experience nothing works better than Avon skin so soft. This miraculous spray is sold in many outdoor shops because of this very property and is used by hillwalkers, climbers, cyclists....you name it. It also seems to repel other strange biting insects.
Midges are attracted to carbon dioxide, which we expel when we are breathing. Staying still is one way to generate a cloud of it around yourself and be bitten to distraction. It is wise therefor to keep moving where possible. Avoiding lochs an other stagnant water seems to help but in Scottish hills the midge can be anywhere.
When sleeping, if condensation is not an issue and midges are then have the inner of the tent fully closed.
The twin scourges of condensation and midges are unlikely to be concurrent as midges like summer weather. They also are less of a problem when it is raining.
If you are staying at a campsite where fires are tolerated then try sitting near the smoke as this repels midges. Bear in mind that when wild camping in Scotland making fires is generally frowned upon.
A friend of mine was on Skye and woke to a gentle pitter patter on his tent. This was not rain, but midges. This gives a rough idea of what a problem they are.
It is estimated that every year five tourists are eaten alive by midges, their dried out corpses being found carried into the hills.
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