HONEY BEES IN THE HEBRIDES

I was asked to write an article for the magazine about my beekeeping. The problem was finding the time. (What DO you all do in the Winter, the Summer visitors ask, honestly believing we all sit by the fire. I wish we did. But that is another article...)

Today, January 28th, I was inspired however, by the first sighting of my bees this Winter. They went into hibernation last October and today, being a beautiful day with a little heat in the sun, they were out.

I've always wanted to keep bees and two years after lengthy conversations with a beekeeper I decided to have a go despite being told by various people - "You'll never keep them! It's too windy! It's too wet! It's too exposed!" All these comments made me all the more determined.

The bees arrived in September `93 ready for hibernating. This would give me all Winter to read up about them. There is a terrible amount to learn, it would seem.

By pure chance - or was it another gloomy omen? - on the night before going into the hive for the first time I was watching the Rescue 999 programme on TV. It was about a man who was stung by a swarm of bees... I can tell you I was not looking forward to the next day!

Brian came to help. He only had a midgey net over his head. I was covered from head to toe.

Fortunately the bees seemed to be very calm. I knew I must speak softly and work quietly around the hive so as they would get used to me. Bees don't like strange or strong smells - like perfume - or dark colours. Then they will get angry.

But the main thing that angers them is when honey is removed from the hive.

When I removed my first lot of honey it was daytime. The humming of the bees got louder and louder. They started bombing me by flying into my head. The next time I was like a thief in the night and took the honey when they were mostly asleep and not moving much in the dark. 'Their anger is understandable. After all, that is their food for the Winter which they worked so hard for all Summer.

I am fascinated by these little creatures and could watch them at work all day long - from arriving at the hive with their wee legs heavily laden with pollen to cleaning out the hive and, in very hot weather, even cooling it down. They stand at the opening of the hive and fan cool air to the inside by flapping their wings. And with the season changing, their flying direction does too, from the clover of the bents to the heather of the hills.

At the end of last season I removed 40-50lbs of honey, leaving approximately the same amount to see the bees through the coming winter. Now I look forward to another season and hope it will be as fruitful as previously.

So, if you are out West and you happen to meet my bees this Summer, don't be hasty in swatting them. Just give them a gentle wave and come next Winter think of me cosy by the fire, feet up, honey piece in one hand and a toddy in the other.

Moira Maclntyre