Honeybees

Yesterday we went and met some honeybees . We are seriously considering getting some. It was a fascinating 4 hours! Chatting with a bee keeper and seeing what hives, books & suits she recommended and trying on the different veils and jackets. 
We would have to get the native Scottish black bee. That’s one of the reasons we want bees to help preserve the species and oddly they cope much better with our climate. And we’d have to get the bees from the island bee keeping association or from colonsay  https://www.snhbs.scot/colonsay/ . Until very recently mull was one of the few place that was varroa mite free. Unfortunately someone didn’t consult with local bee association and brought infected bees on to the island     . It is isolated to one area but it’s very likely it will eventually spread to the rest of the island eventually. A lot is being done to try to keep it in the one area. But it’s doubtful. 
It really was a fascinating day we learned so much. Bees really are incredible organised and intelligent creatures. And slightly bad tempered ( the one that got caught in Bobs hair was   ) . Actually they were a lot calmer and placid than I was expecting. But she did say that the temperament can be different with each hive and with what’s happening within the hive and environmentally at different times. 
Bob wants bees next spring. I want the house liveable first, then bees. But I think honeybees will definitely be in our future.