It must absolutely be because I'm so sweet...
Seriously, I'm A+ so it's not being O blood type. I used to think it was perhaps too much estrogen since I have more than my fair share, but men can be victims too. I don't have high sugar levels, so that's out too.
Whatever it is, it definitely affects some people more than others. I've probably told the story before but I was once at a gathering in the British Virgin Islands where I went to a sunset cocktail party on the beach. (This resort prides itself on providing a "natural" experience...none of the heavy spraying they do in Florida, for example.) I kept on swatting at my legs but didn't know what it was...my husband, of course, wasn't bitten even one time. The next day I had hundreds of bites from my knees on down and got impetigo, necessitating a trip off island to get antibiotics shots! At least that time I didn't get dangerous sunburn and sun poisoning.
I know the tropics are not for me, Hope, but it seems the Highlands wouldn't be optimal either. It sounds similar to the Adirondacks...lots of midges around water. Are there black flies too? The ones in the Adirondacks can look as big as World War II bombers.
I hate those chemical sprays like Spray Off but I do use them if things get bad. I used to officiate at a lot of Swim Meets. When they were held at night at pools near a lake or marshes, I literally had to hose myself down with it. Can't have the timekeeper dropping the watch to swat herself all the time! Here in the U.S. all windows are screened, but I bring two bottles with me when I go to Italy in the summer.
Ed. I've heard that B Vitamins help, so I may take a supplement this summer and see if it helps.