A Kinross-based sustainable honey company is buzzing after securing its first hotel hive site in Edinburgh.
Webster Honey made the sweet deal with top Aparthotel Eden Locke where four hives will be set up on its roof.
The enterprise offers all sorts of organisations, from schools and nurseries to businesses, the opportunity to look after its hives for a year or longer.
Webster supplies them with the honey from their hives when it is harvested which they can then sell, or in the case of businesses with a food offering, such as hotels, use in dishes they serve and at breakfast time.
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The company is currently looking at bespoke labelling for hotels that want to sell their own branded luxury range of products to guests.
Last year it began a partnership with Monachlye Mhor Hotel in Balquidder, near Lochearnhead, when they agreed to have two hives positioned in their grounds.
Managing director of Webster Honey Daniel Webster said: “We are delighted to secure our first hotel in Edinburgh.
“Locke is a fantastic brand to work with, with an excellent food provenance at its heart which I’m confident our honey will enhance.
“Hives can be sited anywhere. You don’t have to be out in the country to have bees, as we already have a hive on a roof at a nursery in Edinburgh.
"Roofs are a great and very safe place in which to put a hive and these ones will enjoy a spectacular view of Edinburgh, not that the bees will notice, they will be far too busy, but it will certainly be nice for Meik, our beekeeper.”
He added: “Let’s hope for another spring and summer of fine weather as last year our bees did really well with the warm spring and less pollution due to lockdown.
“The first lockdown prevented us from being able to do much engagement with any of our customers who were hosting hives for us.
“We would love it if this year we were able to get back to doing that, as it adds so much to the overall hosting experience.
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“Regardless of what restrictions are in place, Meik will still come and carry out all checks on the hives and make sure the bees are flourishing.”
General manager at Eden Locke Jamie Mackie said: “Across all our locations, Locke works with local partners that are passionate about what they do and can provide interactions that transform guests’ stays with us into truly memorable experiences.
“We’ve no doubt that our guests will enjoy sampling some homemade honey, while learning about the important role bees play in our environment – and if they’re lucky, even catch Meik for a chat.”
