The herbal component of this spray is Citriodol which is a 100% plant-based product that is biodegradable, and to date, there is no known accumulation of Citriodol in any public waterways. If you’re ahead of the game and already have some Avon products, then great! All you need to do is keep applying it like you are already, keeping your skin safe while free from itches. If you don’t have any Avon, their products are relatively cheap and easy to find, so what are you waiting for? Get going and keep those pesky mosquitoes away! There is also some evidence to suggest that 100% doesn't provide significant benefits over 50% so that should be more than enough. 25% strength should offer about 5 hours midge repellent of protection.

Smidge keeps midges, mosquitoes, horseflies and other biting critters at bay for up to 8 hours with just one application and it’s also water-resistant, so if you feel the need to go wild swimming you won’t have to re-apply it. That’s me and my trusty bottle of Smidge at the Fairy Pools on Skye. Wandering around shops and supermarkets across the Highlands during the summer months, you will see tourists clutching this elixir. Ingredients include lemongrass – of course – as well as bog myrtle, aloe vera, jojoba, neem and mango. It is a wholesome product: handmade, organic, palm oil-free, vegan-friendly and non-toxic. Available in a 30ml travel size. Can also be used to deter mosquitoes and horseflies. There are nearly 40 species of biting midge in Scotland but only five of these are thought to regularly feed on people. Of these, the Highland midge, Culicoides impunctatus, is the most bloodthirsty, and the species responsible for most of the bites of people. Midges tend to stay near the ground in low winds and where there's lots of brush. If you're climbing hills and mountains over 700m, it's unlikely you'll encounter them. Plus, we promise that the views are worth the hike almost anywhere in the Scottish Highlands. Seriously.The male midge usually emerges in early May. Shortly after the females join the party. They then get it on and then the male midge dies... ah, nature. It’s also the cheapest of the bunch, has a manual pump dispenser, and is infused with natural oils so it’s virtually free of chemicals. Smidge comes out of the can as a lotion rather than a spray and it doesn’t feel at all oily on your skin, and I love the fact it smells quite nice too. For the rest of the summer, they then inflict midge mayhem on us. Sometimes there's a second generation or even a third generation. Their life cycle usually comes to an end as the weather become colder, or, hopefully, when they fly onto your Avon Skin so Soft laden forearms. HOW DO YOU STOP MIDGES? Avon Skin So Soft is a beauty product that has been recommended as a midge repellent for years, which I always thought was an old wives tale until I tried it myself.

First and foremost, this stuff smells great and it blows all other midge repellents out of the water when it comes to making your skin feel soft (the clue’s in the name I guess) plus it dries into your skin without leaving it feeling oily, and it doesn’t leave any marks on your clothes as opposed to DEET which can bleach clothes and plastics. This product couldn’t come more highly recommended – it does the job and it is very affordable to boot. Midges don't like hot and dry weather. They also love dawn and dusk. They prefer mild temperatures and wet conditions, which is what makes bonny (code for rainy) Scotland during the summer such a perfect habitat for them. Equally, midges aren't a big fan of the cold, and can't survive frost.

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There's usually a first generation (or wave) and a second generation of midges. In the early autumn midge numbers are on the decrease, which is why September and October are great hiking months in Scotland. WHERE BEST TO AVOID MIDGES IN SCOTLAND? Although midges, clegs and the like might be a nuisance, they definitely shouldn't put you off exploring the rugged wilderness that is the Scottish Highlands. Trust us – the views of misty Loch Katrine from the rugged Ben A'an are more than worth a midge bite or two. At your wit's end? Here are some more… unconventional methods to rid yourself of midges. Bog myrtle is a plant found throughout the Highlands which is apparently effective at repelling midges. Tie it to your hat for maximum protection (but don't tell anyone else what you're doing, just own it). Wet, boggy, sheltered highland areas are the worst possible places for midges in Scotland. Glen Coe, the surroundings of Fort William, Great Glen and Torridon can be very bad. WHEN ARE THE MIDGE FREE MONTHS IN SCOTLAND?