We are looking to match landowners with beekeepers across Edinburgh & Midlothian.
Could you provide space for honeybee hives on your land?
As well as the obvious pollination and other environmental benefits of having honeybees on your land – our guidance is for you to receive a 1lb (454g) jar of honey per full hive hosted. You may even wish to put a beekeeping suit on and experience a hive inspection!
Frequently Asked Questions:
- Q Are the beekeepers experienced?
- A Yes. We will only pair you with beekeepers who have the SBA Basic Beekeeping Certificate or have 3+ years of experience. The beekeeper would also do a Health & Safety Risk assessment following the EMBA Guidelines.
- Q Are the beekeepers insured?
- A Yes. We will only pair you with beekeepers who are members of the Scottish Beekeepers’ Association which gives them Public and Products Liability insurance.
- Q Are the hives there all year?
- A Potentially yes, but only if that’s what you want. Some beekeepers will be looking for a permanent “out apiary” but others may be looking to put hives on the heather for only 1 month of the year.
- Q I know someone else who might be interested, can I share this email with them?
- A Feel free to forward this email to others you think may be able to help. We’re keen to talk to wind farm owners, utilities and other types of land managers and land owners.
- Q What access is needed?
- A The beekeeper will need vehicular access to the site within a reasonable distance to carry hives and hive parts. Honey is extracted off site and needs to be carried to the car. During the season the hives will be inspected weekly, if on site over winter there will be the occasional visit for feeding and treatments.
- Q Would a garden be suitable?
- A Not usually. Access and privacy are generally problematic when putting hives in a garden, however a larger garden with good access might be suitable. We are generally looking for larger areas of land such as managed agricultural land, where the bees can be easily accessed and kept safely out of people’s way.
- Q How much space is needed to host an apiary?
- A Smaller apiaries for 4 to 6 hives would use about 10m2, larger apiaries tend to have hives on long stands or pallets and thus take up less room per hive.
- Q What’s the minimum number of hives a landowner can host?
- A We’re really looking for landowners with space for between 4 to 10 hives, you’ll be asked more details on the number you are comfortable with in the next phase
- Q What sort of site would be suitable
- A Many sites are suitable, but it would need to be sheltered but sunny, not adjacent to public roads or footpaths, away from livestock, and with good forage in the vicinity.
- Q What is the Edinburgh & Midlothian Beekeepers’ Association?
- A Our association (EMBA) was formed in 1894 and to this day our objective is the encouragement and the advancement of Beekeeping. More info here: https://edinburghbeekeepers.org.uk/
- Q How do I get in contact with EMBA?
- A Our secretary will be happy to take questions via our Contact Form
Please register your interest by completing this form, and we will be in touch!