Based on reports from walkers on Walkhighlands, 2014 seems to be gearing up to be a bumper year for ticks. The Mountaineering Council of Scotland (MCofS) is therefore urging walkers and climbers to make sure that a Munro or other summit, is the only tick you come home with from your trip.
Tick (photo: MCofS)
Heather Morning the Mountain Safety Advisor with the MCofS is advising hill-goers to check themselves carefully after a day on the hill to ensure they haven’t picked up any unwanted guests.
Ticks are small arthropods (related to spiders & scorpions) and are common in vegetated areas in the Scottish hills. They are particularly suited to mild damp climates and therefore thrive on the west coast mountain regions of Scotland. Aside from being a nuisance, ticks carry diseases, including Lyme Disease which can be extremely serious if not diagnosed early.
Worryingly, after the mild winter of 2014, the wee beasties seem to be out in force. Heather said: “Last weekend we enjoyed a camping trip over in Moidart in the most stunning weather. Relaxing at the camp site after a day on the hill, we noticed several ticks on our feet and during the following week found several latched onto our bodies even though we had thoroughly checked ourselves when we got home. The dog didn’t escape either; we have been removing engorged ticks from her for several days now.”
Heather recommends that hill walkers are vigilant and take some simple precautions such as tucking trousers into socks or wearing gaiters when on the hill. It’s also well worth taking a good look at yourself when you return home to spot the ticks before they latch on. From experience, they seem to appear even a few days later. If you find one attached to you, remove with a tick hook. If in doubt seek advice from your doctor.
If you’ve never had a tick, check out this six-minute video clip to see what they look like and how to safely remove them: