I’ve spent enough time in the Scottish Highlands to know the landscape changes with the seasons, but there’s one constant struggle that never really goes away in summer: the midges. They’re small, persistent, and at their worst they make even simple moments outside feel uncomfortable.
To cut down on those bites, I started using Smidge insect repellent a few trips back. It’s a spray you apply to your exposed skin, and for us it’s become part of how we prepare for time outdoors in midge country. The formula doesn’t use DEET and is water-based, which is something that matters if you, like us, prefer to avoid strong chemicals on your skin. It’s also safe for most of the family to use.
A single application of Smidge should keep biting insects at bay for around eight hours, and in practice we’ve found it holds up well when we’re walking or sitting by a loch, even if you start to sweat or the weather turns damp. It comes in a simple pump spray bottle, so you don’t have to mess about with wipes or sticky gels, and the texture is light rather than greasy. There’s a faint scent to it, nothing that sticks with you all day.
We’ve also appreciated that the product is biodegradable. In places like the Highlands, where you’re surrounded by nature you didn’t create, it feels important not to add anything that might harm the plants and insects you actually want to be around.
The difference Smidge makes isn’t dramatic in the sense of perfect protection, but it does mean I don’t walk back to the van with dozens of bites after a couple of hours outside. We’ve used it at various sites around Scotland, and it’s helped manage more than just midges – ticks, horseflies and mosquitoes are less inclined to land when Smidge is on.
For us, it has gone from a “maybe useful” item to a regular part of our kit when we know midges are likely to be out. There’s no magic cure for biting insects, but this has made evenings beside the van and short walks in the glen a bit more pleasant.
| Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Smidge Insect Repellent Cream (75ml) |
£7.15 | Buy on Amazon |
| Smidge That Midge Insect Repellent – 75ml (Pack of 2) | £18.75 | Buy on Amazon |
| Smidge Insect Repellent (30ml) |
£6.45 | Buy on Amazon |
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