Midges

Barely 2 millimetres long, the female midge needs blood in order to reproduce.

Such a small creature can do little harm in isolation, but with an unusual life cycle that produces two generations every season, the millions of resulting midges bring devastation to the skin of man and beast.

The midge does not like sunlight and thrives in the wet, so the Scottish summertime brings perfect climatic conditions for this ruthless wee beastie. Alasdair Roberts has compiled an anthology of anecdotes and information concerning the minuscule marauder, ranging from the eighteenth century to the present, and covering such topics as Bonnie Prince Charlie, Queen Victoria, kilts and camping. Perhaps most importantly, the book also includes a section on remedies and repellents, so locals and visitors can enjoy the pleasures of Scotland without the pain.

The original edition of Midges was first published in 1998.