Scottish Picnic Customs: Compare and Contrast

[MacRobert's Reply]

Is there a midge-less season (other than mid-winter) when one can plan on having an outing with a reasonable expectation of comfort?

Spring and autumn are usually midge free. Summer (June to August) can be bad except in bright sunshine and winds over about 4 miles an hour ... stay out of the shade and keep moving! They dehydrate in sunshine and can't cope with wind. Last year's hard winter froze the wee blighters in their shallow-water nurseries and cut their numbers in the summer. This year's big freeze should do the same. So picnics in hot sunny and/or windy places are possible even in Summer. The top of most Munros is usually fine.

[piperdbh]

I've not been to a picnic in a long time. Let's all head over to Alex's place tomorrow morning and hike to a good picnic site. I'll bring the cookies.

[skauwt]

Last year's hard winter froze the wee blighters in their shallow-water nurseries and cut their numbers in the summer. This year's big freeze should do the same. So picnics in hot sunny and/or windy places are possible even in Summer. The top of most Munros is usually fine.

the ice on the water actually makes it better for them less predators and more rich oxygenated water perfect conditions for any semi aquatic bug and young fish ,

the amount of bugs this year from the local lochs was way more than average wasn't fun at all walking into them all

[MacRobert's Reply]

Quote:
the ice on the water actually makes it better for them less predators and more rich oxygenated water perfect conditions for any semi aquatic bug and young fish ,

the amount of bugs this year from the local lochs was way more than average wasn't fun at all walking into them all

My knowledge of the midge life cycle is rudimentary and largely restricted to being one step below them in the food chain. However, a Times article at
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/new...cle7044805.ece sounds hopeful.

[skauwt]

My knowledge of the midge life cycle is rudimentary and largely restricted to being one step below them in the food chain. However, a Times article at
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/new...cle7044805.ece sounds hopeful.

a wee bit later
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/10337812