A hilarious video shows an English tourist's reaction to experiencing a "swarm" of midges for the first time.
Becky Atkinson captured the moment her partner Paul Falltrick failed to swat away the blood thirsty critters near Durness in Sutherland, Scottish Highlands on Wednesday. Agitated, 50-year-old Paul can be seen swatting his hat around his face trying to deter the relentless onslaught from the ravenous beasties.
Raging, he says: "F*****g things.
"Use Smidge? It f*****g doesn't work.
"They're f*****g everywhere, all over me."
Becky, 53, can't contain her laughter whilst Paul continues to attempt and fail to escape the notorious insects.
Then as a car approaches Becky says: "Oh I think I'm going to get run over."
To which Paul replies: "I might as well, I feel as though I want to jump in front of the car."
In another clip he continues: "They're horrible, it's terrible.
"Look, you can see them everywhere."
In a bid to escape the infuriating creatures Paul then ends up running away down the street.
Becky, from West Mersea Island, Essex, posted the video in a Facebook group on Wednesday (7 SEP) writing: "No words needed.
"NC500 lovers, turn up your volume, press play and have a laugh at our expense."
The video has now collected over 650 likes with more than 200 comments from social media users who were left in stitches by the clip.
One said: "Miserable, unfortunately the best weather for them in their natural predator, the Haggis, is hibernating."
Another wrote: "Welcome to Scotland, it would be worse if the sun was shining, enjoy your stay."
A third commented: "Oh crap I thought those pesky buggers might have done one by now but obviously not.
"I love the video though, it made me laugh!"
A fourth added: "I'm scratching just watching."
A fifth replied: "Thanks for sharing, very funny but I am now scratching and I'm not even up there."
Speaking today (MON), Becky said: "They were really annoying. The word 'midge' is very misleading.
"It implies they are small and innocuous yet the ones we encountered felt like they had hard hats and hammers and were in attack mode.
"They appeared to have homing devices on our heads and got inside our clothing as well as in any open orifice.
"I've never been to the coast of Scotland before so I've never encountered such wee beasties.
"We have met many mosquitoes in our time but at least you can hear a mosquito coming, the midge is stealth personified.
"It felt like there were loads but in reality it was probably just one small swarm that followed us.
"Once we walked and ran far enough away they were gone."
Scientists at the Scottish Midge Forecast previously said it was likely the warmer weather this year in some parts of Scotland had suppressed the numbers of midges this season.
The irritating bugs thrive in wet and warm conditions meaning this year might be the first in many where numbers have actually reduced.
Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond - Sign up to our daily newsletter here .
READ NEXT:
Young Scots mum 'ready to plan funeral' after toothache turned out to be brain tumour
Car engulfed in flames after 'suspicious' fire on Scots street as shocked neighbours watch in horror
Woman appears in court after the alleged theft of eight puppies form a Scots home
