Humans bite back as Highland hotel gets OK to put midge burgers on menu

Midge burgers have been given the thumbs up by the first person to sample the new home-grown Scottish delicacy.

Willie Neilson took the taste test challenge as soon as the speciality burgers were passed by food experts as being safe for human consumption.

The brave builder volunteered to try out the new addition to the menu at Brander Lodge hotel and bistro, at Loch Awe, near Oban.

Mrneilsongavethenewdish – a vegan burger coated with dead midges and pan fried – his firm seal of approval.

The Oban Camanachd shinty club player said: “Midges are the most irritating thing I have ever come across in my life, on the shinty field, building, anywhere, they are the bane of my life. I can’t wait to get my revenge. It doesn’t bother me to eat them, I will try anything once.”

The 29-year-old added: “It’s amazing how many midges you eat when you are out walking – and those ones are alive.”

Brander Lodge owner David Keat, 65, said: “The tests on the midgeburgersarebackandall clear for consumption if anyone wants to try one.

“The summary accompanying the analysis certificate says the cooked product is excellent, nothing to be concerned about.”

Mr Keat added: “We just thought that, with ants and grasshoppers on menus across the world, Scotland has a ready supply of proteinfilled midges and because of our location we have an ample supply of the wee blighters. And there is a huge plague of midges this year.”

The hotel collects the insects in four midge machines located in the grounds.

Mr Neilson said: “It tastes just like a veggie burger, it’s great.”