As a beekeeper, a really common question I get asked is “but where do you get the honeybees from in the first place?” It’s an important question because sadly honeybees don’t magically fly into an empty hive (well, not normally). I'll talk a little bit about how you can go about buying bees as well as some of the crucial considerations to make before going ahead with buying honeybees in the UK. With the support of the Scottish Bee Company, I’ve officially completed the first beekeeping apprenticeship in Scotland so I’m here to share my knowledge so far... Before buying bees ..read more

Did you know that there are many vinegar types that can be used in a multitude of ways, making it one of the most useful ingredients in your cupboard? From salad dressings to marinades, and even (in some cases) a cleaning tool! With so many on the market, what is right for what - trust us you do NOT want to get these mixed up. So here is our list of the best vinegars available today…   How is vinegar made? First let's talk about how vinegar is actually made. Vinegar is created through the fermentation of alcohol, leaving behind a sour-tasting, acidic residue. It is this alc ..read more

Katie, our resident beekeeper, was the UK's first beekeeping apprentice. After two years she's now graduated to become our resident bee keeper. We caught up with her to find out from her side how The Scottish Bee Company has helped with her journey.   So, how did your apprenticeship with the Scottish Bee Company  come about? "It feels like a really fitting prequel to my life as a beekeeper. Having a knowledge of botany is a crucial part of beekeeping due to that symbiotic relationship between flowers and bees. In a way the transition in to beekeeping was quite natural. Both jobs ..read more

Here at the Scottish Bee Company, a beeswax scented candle and a natural wax candle have always been a staple in our range. From our original lavender and tea tree oil candles to our current lavender scented candle with hints of sandalwood and patchouli, it is a scent that is a favourite amongst many of our customers.  Firstly, let's delve into some lavender facts... Over the years, lavender in candles has been a source of contention when it comes to the inclusion of dried lavender in the candle itself. This has been known to become a safety hazard and in the past caused the fl ..read more

Honey masks and beauty treatments are not new - they have been around for centuries and have been used in a variety of different ways around the world.   In Ancient Egypt, Cleopatra was known for being an incredibly beautiful woman. Part of this was down to her regular baths made up of milk and honey, giving her young and radiant looking skin. Helen of Troy had a similar reputation - known as THE most beautiful woman to ever exist. She used both olive oil and honey instead of makeup to look young and fresh. In China, women in Qin Liangyu’s court would wear a blend made up of crushed ..read more

Where honeybees live Over time the Western honey bee (Apis mellifera) became domesticated in Europe for honey production and crop pollination, and this domestication of the species became possible with the creation of the modern beehive. In the middle of the 19th century the Reverend Langstroth, an American clergyman, developed the first hive with moveable combs. This made the process of beekeeping more bee friendly.  There have been many iterations of the beehive since and when people think about where honey bees live, their first thought will most likely be, in a beehive. However the ho ..read more

Vanilla candles for sale are more popular than ever. After the last year spending so much time at home, candles have become a staple in most people’s living rooms and bedrooms...   With so many scents to choose, often it is the simplest, classic smells that will give you the sense of calm you crave. No scent can do this better than Vanilla. There is something about vanilla candles that makes you both relaxed and uplifted at the same time. ‘Why is that?’ I hear you ask. For years people thought it was to do with it’s plain non-descript reputation, something that reminds you of your childho ..read more

Pure honey, raw honey, runny honey, crystallised, heather, blossom, honeycomb, in a jar or straight from the hive - in every shape, size and consistency, we love our honey. Which is great - you’d expect that from a honey producer. But why do other people love honey so much? Well we have a whole bunch of reasons…     It gives you energy Approximately 15grams of carbohydrates and 60 calories per teaspoon, honey is a fantastic source of energy, and used on combination with other food groups - protein, fruit, veg etc - it can be a great boost to your daily energy levels. So many flavours ..read more

Online you can find loads of ‘candle making sets’, which on first glance make it look really easy to create delicious smelling candles with very little work. Most are incredible basic  - a simple matter of melting pellets and adding fragrance. However when making candles, it is WHAT your candle is made of that is of the utmost importance…   There is a reason we only sell beeswax candles - and it’s not just because the bees making our honey create the beeswax. Beeswax is 100% pure and has no toxins whatsoever. Even better, when you melt beeswax it actually releases positive ions into ..read more

Candles have been around for centuries, however over the past couples of decades, diffusers have become another go. So let's find out what the differences are...   What is a diffuser? Diffusers are essentially reed sticks  made out of a porous type of wood that sits in fragrance oil. Throughout the day it gently ‘diffuses' into the air around it. It gives off a constant subtle stream of scent until all of the oil has dissipated.   Similartities Both candles and diffusers do not use electricity, making them better for the environment than turning a light on. Saying that you can n ..read more