What time of year are the the dreaded midge's in Scotland at their worst?
I've only really been into the Higlands in Winter and I would prefer to avoid the worst time for these if possible.
There is not really a defined time in which midges are out and about, but usually they are seen from early June until October. Midge season heavily depends on the weather and a wet and cold June will mean less midgets or a later start to the season (as it happens this year).
For a really good resource to know about midges is the Midge Forecast that gives some estimate about the menace of midges in different areas.