We’re lucky in Scotland to be home to some of Europe’s most maginficent animals – playful otters, cute red squirrels, elusive wildcats, regal red deer and majestic golden eagles.
Unfortunately it’s also home to an estimated 180,750 trillion Highland Midges, each one capable of giving a painful and itchy bite.
As if that isn’t bad enough, they tend to hunt in packs, with thousands descending from seemingly nowhere to feast on your skin.
If you are venturing to the Highlands this summer there is hope though – a range of clever tricks to avoid the troublesome insects, or at least stop them from biting you.
Here are the 9 best way to stop being eaten alive by midges...
5. Take your vitamins
Many people claim that taking B12 vitamin supplements can make you less appealing to the Highland Midge. If you don't have any B12 pills handy, then Marmite is rich in the anti-insect vitamin. Photo: Canva/Getty Images
6. Go natural
There are a number of companies that create natural alternatives to the mainstream repellants. DeKassa Fine Fragrance, based in Cumbernauld, use bog myrtle in their scientifically tested anti-midge candles and lotions. Photo: Photographer: Scott Louden
7. Stick to the sunshine
Midges hate sunshine, so if you avoid going out before sunrise or after dusk on clear days you should avoid them. Photo: Canva/Getty Images
8. Skip the perfume
If they can smell you, they can find you - avoid using strong perfume, aftershaves and deodorants and you make escape the midges' unwanted attention. Photo: Canva/Getty Images