Kilt advice for Scotland trip

**chrisupyonder** · 27th February 11, 09:28 PM

A tip from an old Scottish camper. They usually make for the light at night so if you need to go, leave a lantern or torch several yards away from you and your tent. If you get into a swarm you just cannot get rid of them. They go in your ears and mouth, fill your hair and up yer kilt. You mostly don't feel them bite but you will be full of itchy red spots next morning. I think the repelant they sell in tourist shops do the oposite and atract them. get one of these... 2 Lb Citronella Bucket Candles. They last ages and place it at the entrance to your tent. They smell nice and are safe but the midges hate it. I think you can get smaller ones but Citronella is the biz. I have no connection with this company, just googled. Many local shops in Scotland sell them.
http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/none-2-l...ellent-p124609
Another tip. If they get in our caravan, we leave a few cups of water with a tiny drop of washing up liquid in each (to break the surface tension) around caravan and the light reflecting from the water attracts them, then they drown. May be a bit messy in a tent though.

**chrisupyonder** · 27th February 11, 09:42 PM

Originally Posted by Andy Ternay

Thank you very much for the reply; this is what I was seeking - practical advice. I guess it will be similar to when I wore my Utilikilt in very, very rural West Texas. They too were too polite to comment but it seemed that every person I saw had raised eyebrows!

Sigh, perhaps the smarter thing would be to wear trousers. Depressing to go to the home of the kilt to wear pants! Well, I have months to figure it out.

Just get a generic tartan such as the black watch. You won't have any problems in the tourist places and if out hiking in the hills you will rarely see another person. Edinburgh, anything goes but a UKilt in Glasgow, Dodgy! ya may get mugged. We caravan down the Great Glen and around Fort William very often. Loads of tartan kilt wearers (mostly German) and they are made most welcome.

**MacBean** · 27th February 11, 10:18 PM

The workshop sounds like outstanding fun and in a lovely part of the British Isles. Were I in your position, I'd defer the Scotland trip and explore Cornwall itself further - i's a wonderful place. Should you decide to stay longer in Cornwall, PM me for suggestions.

**Jock Scot** · 28th February 11, 02:24 AM

Originally Posted by MacBean

The workshop sounds like outstanding fun and in a lovely part of the British Isles. Were I in your position, I'd defer the Scotland trip and explore Cornwall itself further - i's a wonderful place. Should you decide to stay longer in Cornwall, PM me for suggestions.

Yes, Cornwall is most definitely a place worth exploring. There is no doubting that.

**Andy Ternay** · 28th February 11, 05:16 AM

Originally Posted by chrisupyonder

get one of these... 2 Lb Citronella Bucket Candles. They last ages and place it at the entrance to your tent. They smell nice and are safe but the midges hate it. I think you can get smaller ones but Citronella is the biz. I have no connection with this company, just googled. Many local shops in Scotland sell them.
http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/none-2-l...ellent-p124609
Another tip. If they get in our caravan, we leave a few cups of water with a tiny drop of washing up liquid in each (to break the surface tension) around caravan and the light reflecting from the water attracts them, then they drown. May be a bit messy in a tent though.

Hmmm, in America some health food stores sell Citronella based repellent sprays. May invest in those as well. Thank you.

**Lime** · 28th February 11, 05:23 AM

Re midges - try Avon Skin So Soft: it makes the blighters a little less annoying and you will get lovely soft legs to boot.

**Andy Ternay** · 28th February 11, 05:31 AM

Originally Posted by MacBean

The workshop sounds like outstanding fun and in a lovely part of the British Isles. Were I in your position, I'd defer the Scotland trip and explore Cornwall itself further - i's a wonderful place. Should you decide to stay longer in Cornwall, PM me for suggestions.

Thank you for the suggestion; this is actually my third trip to Cornwall and I have fallen in love with the Cornish coast, the standing stones and the hills. The guy who does the Bronze Sword Workshop lives very near Penzance and I've gotten to visit and stay with him in the past.

One of the reasons Scotland is on the agenda this time is because thanks to the sword workshops I know a gentlemen who may be able to show me some of the Bronze Age collection that is behind the scenes at the National Museums of Scotland. I don't want to miss out on that!

**Jock Scot** · 28th February 11, 05:36 AM

Originally Posted by Lime

Re midges - try Avon Skin So Soft: it makes the blighters a little less annoying and you will get lovely soft legs to boot.

Yes its good, the best yet---------but not THAT good! Used up here by the Forestry Commission, The Royal Marines and others, shhhh, of that ilk and locals. But we all soon learn when to admit defeat.