We are a friendly, helpful and inclusive association supporting all with an interest in honey bees and beekeeping in The Scottish Borders.
Bee Alert ~ March: feeding increases fast
There’s been a welcome rise in temperature recently, forecast to continue into early March. Bees are flying on warmer afternoons, but it’ll be a while before we open our hives.
With brood increasing, it’s more important than ever to keep an eye on stores. I’ve got fondant on all my colonies and, through March, the speed with which colonies consume this increases rapidly. It’s also worth ensuring hives are secured against spring storms.
Now is the time to check equipment and prepare frames for the coming season.
John Wilkinson 🐝
For John’s full article and upcoming monthly information to help you out in and out of the Apiary, check out the Bee Alert link under the “Resources” tab.
Latest News
Our History
We have a long and proud history of supporting and providing education services to beekeepers in The Scottish Borders. Its parent organisation, the Berwickshire Beekeepers, was formed in 1890, with a membership caring for more than 500 colonies. From the 1940s, our organisation was fortunate to have the support and guidance of William Selby Robson, the founder of Chainbridge Honey Farm, and to this day, we are privileged to maintain our links with Willie Robson Jnr and The Chainbridge Honey Farm. Also, Willie Smith, famous for designing The Smith Hive, which provides an adequate brood area for local conditions and ease of transport to the heather. Both Mr Robson and Mr Smith were industrious in guiding the development of The Berwickshire Beekeepers. The Kelso and District Beekeepers formed in April 1938, with The Duke of Roxburghe, as its honorary president; the membership quickly grew to over sixty. The Berwickshire and Kelso Beekeepers amalgamated to form The Borders Beekeepers Association in 1995.
We now have a membership of 157 as at January 2025
We’re inviting everyone to indicate interest in a Bee Health Day.