Midge burgers on menu... you want flies with that?

THE French have escargot while crickets are a culinary delight in Cambodia.

Now, Scots have their own version of critter cuisine after midge burgers were put on the menu at a hotel.

And the patties have been passed fit by food safety experts.

The dish – a vegan burger coated with dead midges and then pan-fried – is the brainchild of David Keat, the owner of the Brander Lodge hotel and bistro at Loch Awe, Argyll.

Mr Keat, 65, said: ‘The tests on the midge burgers are back and all clear for consumption. The summary accompanying the analysis certificate says the cooked product is excellent, nothing to be concerned about.

‘We thought that, with ants and grasshoppers on menus across the world, Scotland has a ready supply of protein-filled midges, and because of our location we have ample supply of the wee blighters.’

The hotel collects the bugs in four midge machines in the grounds. Mr Keat said: ‘There is a huge plague of midges this year, so there are plenty at our disposal.’

The freshly cooked midge burger was quickly given the thumbs up. Shinty player Willie Neilson, 29, of Dunbeg, near Oban, Argyll, said: ‘I’ll try anything once. It tastes like a veggie burger, it’s great.

‘Midge burgers are a real delicacy, I will have to have this on a regular basis.’