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Can someone put a name to this? Many of these were swarming next to a large freshwater lake at Loch Awe, Argyll, Scotland on March 5 2012.

They reminded me of bibio sp but I was puzzled by the apparent feathered antennae.

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Chironomidae

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Thanks Mark
Could be Gymnometriocnemus brumalis.

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I doubt Gymnometriocnemus. The front leg posture is typical of Chironominae. Cold weather midges of all subfamilies tend to be dark colored. Maybe Sergentia coracina but I can't tell from this picture. I think the species can be distinguished by the combination of wings with hairs near the tip (vs. bare in most Chironominae), short dorsal extension of eyes (vs. long), dark color, and large size.

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thanks for the discussion, John, it's much appreciated.