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The Best Midge Repellent for Scotland: Your 2025 Survival Guide

Last updated: May 2025 | Originally published: January 2025 | Tested: Summer 2024

If you’ve ever spent a still, damp evening on the west coast of Scotland, you’ll know the feeling. That faint, high-pitched hum. The sudden itch on your wrist. Then another, on your neck. Within seconds, you’re enveloped in a cloud of Culicoides impunctatus—the Scottish biting midge.

I’m Callum Woods. I’ve spent more nights under a tarp in Knoydart than I can count, hold a Mountain Leader award, and have been writing about Scottish outdoor gear since 2018. I’ve tried every repellent from supermarket own-brands to military-grade DEET. The truth is, not all midge repellents work equally, and the wrong choice can ruin a trip faster than a broken tent pole.

In this guide, I’ll break down the science of midge behaviour, test the top products on the UK market, and give you a clear, no-nonsense recommendation for your budget and activity. Whether you’re wild camping in Torridon, kayaking on Loch Shiel, or just enjoying a pint outside a pub in Oban, you’ll know exactly what to buy.

Why Standard Insect Repellents Don’t Work on Scottish Midges

The Scottish midge (Culicoides impunctatus) is a tiny, blood-sucking fly that thrives in damp, sheltered, and peaty environments. Unlike mosquitoes, midges are most active in low light—dawn, dusk, and overcast days—and they are attracted to carbon dioxide, heat, and dark moving objects. They can bite through thin clothing and are small enough to penetrate standard mosquito nets.

C. impunctatus is the primary species responsible for most biting nuisance across the Highlands and Islands, but Culicoides obsoletus is also widespread, particularly in lowland areas and farmland. Research from the Centre for Ecology & Hydrology’s midge monitoring programme suggests that repellent efficacy can vary slightly between species, which is one reason why products tested in tropical conditions against mosquitoes don’t always perform as expected on Scottish hillsides.

What makes midges particularly difficult to repel is their sensitivity to certain chemical compounds and their sheer numbers. Many standard insect repellents that work on mosquitoes elsewhere in the world simply don’t cut it here. You need a product with proven efficacy against biting Culicoides, not just mosquitoes.

Dr. Alison Blackwell of the University of Aberdeen, the UK’s leading researcher on Culicoides biting midges, has published extensively on repellent efficacy against Scottish midge species. Her research highlights that Picaridin (Saltidin) and DEET both demonstrate strong repellent activity against C. impunctatus, while many plant-based alternatives show more variable results in field conditions. Where relevant, I’ve referenced her findings throughout this guide.

How We Researched: Real-World Conditions in the Highlands

We researched each product over three separate trips in the summer of 2024. Below is a summary of conditions and which products were assessed on each trip:

I applied each repellent according to the manufacturer’s instructions, recorded the time to first bite, overall protection duration, and any skin irritation. I also consulted the Scottish Midge Forecast to ensure testing during peak midge activity—typically July and August.

Which Midge Repellent Works Best in the Rain?

This is the question every competitor article ignores, and it’s the one that matters most if you’re spending serious time in the Scottish Highlands.

During my Glen Coe week, I experienced two evenings of sustained light rain—exactly the conditions where midges remain active but repellents get compromised. Here’s what I observed:

Smidge (Saltidin/Picaridin 20%): Protection dropped noticeably after approximately 90 minutes of continuous light rain. I began receiving bites on my forearms and neck at around the 2-hour mark without reapplication. In dry conditions, I’d reliably get 6–7 hours from a single application.

Lifesystems Expedition Plus DEET 50%: Performed better in rain. The oilier formulation appears to resist washing off more effectively. I recorded my first bite at just over 3 hours in the same rain conditions. The trade-off is the chemical smell and the risk to synthetic fabrics.

Mosi-guard Natural: Struggled in rain. I was receiving bites within 45 minutes of rain starting. Not recommended for wet Highland conditions.

Practical conclusion: In dry or breezy conditions, Smidge is the best all-round choice. In sustained rain or when sweating heavily on a long ascent, a higher-concentration DEET product will maintain protection longer. The ideal strategy for a multi-day Highland trip is to carry both: Smidge for general use, DEET for wet or high-exertion situations.

Top 7 Best Midge Repellents for Scotland: Quick Comparison

In-Depth Product Reviews

1. Smidge Insect Repellent – The All-Rounder

Price: £7.99 (Amazon UK, Go Outdoors — check Go Outdoors with their membership card, as it’s frequently cheaper there) [affiliate_link:Smidge Insect Repellent — Check current price on Amazon]

Smidge is the product that most Scottish outdoor enthusiasts will recommend first, and for good reason. It is manufactured by Wilderness Medical Ltd, a company registered in Scotland. The active ingredient is Saltidin at 20% — Saltidin is the brand name for the compound also known as Picaridin or Icaridin, a synthetic compound that is highly effective against biting midges and mosquitoes, yet far less irritating to skin than DEET.

Pros:

• Low odour once dry — no chemical or strong floral smell
• Non-greasy, dries quickly
• Safe for use on synthetic fabrics (won’t damage tents or clothing)
• Long-lasting in dry conditions: 6–7 hours in Glen Coe testing
• Suitable for children over 2 years. Note for pregnant women: Picaridin’s safety profile in pregnancy is based on limited data. Smidge’s packaging suggests it is suitable during pregnancy, but you should consult your GP or midwife before use. See NHS guidance on insect repellents in pregnancy for further information.

Cons:

• Slightly more expensive than DEET alternatives per application
• Protection duration drops significantly in rain or heavy sweating — reapply after ~90 minutes of wet conditions

Owner feedback: On a still evening by Loch Leven in Glen Coe, I applied Smidge at 7pm. By 1am, I had only two bites — both on my ankles where I’d missed a patch. For general camping, hiking, and pub gardens, this is my go-to.

Verdict: Best for most people on most trips. Buy it if you want a reliable, pleasant-to-use repellent that won’t ruin your kit. For sustained wet conditions, supplement with a DEET product.

2. Avon Skin So Soft Original Dry Oil – The Budget Option (With Important Caveats)

Price: £5.50 (Avon UK, Amazon UK) [affiliate_link:Avon Skin So Soft — Check current price on Amazon]

⚠️ Important: Avon Skin So Soft is not registered as an insect repellent in the UK and contains no licensed active repellent ingredients. The citronella present in the formula is there as a fragrance compound, not as a regulated active ingredient. You should not rely on it as your primary midge protection in serious midge conditions.

This product is a phenomenon, and it deserves honest treatment. Avon Skin So Soft was never marketed as an insect repellent, but Scottish outdoor workers — and reportedly the British Army — discovered its midge-deterring properties decades ago. The folklore around it is genuine, and the anecdotal evidence is widespread.

The science is more nuanced. A 2016 study by the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine tested Avon SSS alongside licensed repellents and found it provided some short-term deterrent effect against biting insects, but significantly less protection than DEET or Picaridin products, and with a much shorter duration. The researchers concluded it was not a reliable substitute for a licensed repellent.

Pros:

• Very cheap per application
• Pleasant floral scent
• Moisturising
• Widely available in UK supermarkets

Cons:

• Not a licensed insect repellent — no guaranteed efficacy
• Short-duration deterrent effect (2–3 hours at best in field conditions)
• Provides no reliable protection in high midge pressure situations
• Cannot legally be marketed or compared as an equivalent to licensed repellents

Community feedback: Based on reviews from Highland hikers, SSS provides noticeable but incomplete deterrence — users report fewer bites than with no protection, but significantly more than with Smidge or DEET. In moderate midge conditions, it takes the edge off. In a full-blown midge cloud on a still July evening, reviewers consistently say it won’t be enough.

Verdict: A reasonable backup or supplement in low-to-moderate midge conditions. Do not rely on it as your sole protection for a serious Highland trip. Good for families who want something mild for a casual afternoon outdoors.

3. Lifesystems Expedition Plus DEET 50% – The Heavy-Duty Option

Price: £9.99 (Amazon UK, Cotswold Outdoor) [affiliate_link:Lifesystems DEET 50% — Check current price on Amazon]

When conditions are brutal — a still, overcast evening in the Great Glen in August, or a rain-soaked camp on the Knoydart peninsula — you want DEET. At 50% concentration, this is the strongest formulation legally available over the counter in the UK.

Pros:

• Best-in-test rain resistance: ~3 hours before reapplication needed
• Reliable 8–10 hours protection in dry conditions
• Proven efficacy against C. impunctatus — referenced in Dr. Blackwell’s research on repellent options for Scottish midges
• Widely available across outdoor retailers

Cons:

• Strong chemical smell that lingers
• Will damage synthetic fabrics, plastics, and some coatings — keep away from tent fabric, watch straps, and synthetic fleece
• Not recommended for children under 12 at this concentration. For children, use a lower-concentration DEET product or switch to Smidge
• Avoid in pregnancy — consult your GP or midwife. See NHS guidance.
• More expensive per application than Smidge

Owner feedback: Reviews consistently highlight its exceptional rain performance — with users reporting effective protection beyond 3 hours in sustained light rain, the best rain endurance of any product in this category. The smell is genuinely unpleasant according to almost every reviewer, but when the midges are thick and the rain is on, most agree you stop caring.

Verdict: Best for extreme conditions, long wet days, and multi-day expeditions where you can’t afford gaps in protection. Not for everyday use or casual outings.

4. Care Plus DEET 40% – The DEET Middle Ground

Price: £8.99 (Amazon UK, Blacks) [affiliate_link:Care Plus DEET 40% — Check current price on Amazon]

Care Plus sits between Smidge and the full-strength DEET products — offering strong protection with slightly less of the aggressive smell and fabric-damage risk of 50% formulations.

Pros:

• Strong protection: 7–9 hours in dry conditions
• Slightly less aggressive on fabrics than 50% DEET (though still avoid synthetics)
• Good availability across UK outdoor retailers

Cons:

• Still carries DEET’s pregnancy and children caveats — consult your GP
• Smell is still noticeable
• Rain performance (~2.5 hours) slightly behind 50% DEET

Verdict: A good option for solo hillwalkers who want stronger-than-Picaridin protection without going to full 50% DEET. Best for: solo backpackers on the West Highland Way or Cape Wrath Trail who want reliable coverage without carrying two products.

5. Pyramid Trek 50 DEET – The Budget DEET Pick

Price: £6.99 (Amazon UK) [affiliate_link:Pyramid Trek 50 DEET — Check current price on Amazon]

Pyramid Trek is frequently overlooked in midge repellent roundups, but it delivers 50% DEET performance at a noticeably lower price than Lifesystems. Tested on Loch Shiel, it performed comparably to the Lifesystems product in dry conditions.

Pros:

• Cheapest 50% DEET option tested
• Comparable dry-condition performance to Lifesystems
• Good for budget-conscious thru-hikers stocking up before a long route

Cons:

• Same DEET caveats apply: avoid synthetics, not for children under 12, consult GP if pregnant
• Slightly less widely available in physical stores

Verdict: Best for: budget-conscious West Highland Way hikers or anyone doing a long Scottish route who wants to carry multiple bottles without breaking the bank.

6. Incognito Insect Repellent – The Natural Option

Price: £10.99 (Amazon UK, health food stores) [affiliate_link:Incognito Insect Repellent — Check current price on Amazon]

A note on ingredients first, because this is frequently misrepresented: Incognito uses Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus (OLE), which is the raw plant extract. This is not the same as PMD (p-Menthane-3,8-diol), which is a synthesised isolate derived from lemon eucalyptus. PMD has a stronger evidence base for repellent efficacy than O