There are new beehives at Rosslyn Chapel restoring the connection between the historic chapel and bees which goes back some 600 years.

Webster Honey have provided the bees and will care for them while the chapel and everyone around there enjoy the benefits. Daniel Webster and his partner Emily-Kate set up the business in 2016 and established a sponsorship programme with schools and businesses. The beekeepers visit every seven to ten days during the honeybee season to tend the hives.

This new partnership with Rosslyn Chapel celebrates a very historic link with the building, which was founded in 1446.  During a major conservation project, which lasted from 1997 until 2013, the lower shaft of a stone finial, high up on the north side of the Chapel, was found to have been an active beehive and was full of old honeycomb. A small hole in the centre of a finely carved flower provided access for bees into a large cavity and was intended to provide a safe haven, as they were considered to be sacred. During further work, an additional twenty-one hives were discovered.

The four new hives were welcomed by pupils in Roslin Primary School’s Eco-Committee. Their artwork has been incorporated into special designs for the hives and they have given each hive a name.

Ian Gardner, Director of Rosslyn Chapel Trust, said: “We are delighted to be working with Webster Honey to reintroduce bees at Rosslyn Chapel. Unlike the earlier bees, our new hives will be at ground level, in a quiet spot in the Chapel grounds where the bees can enjoy access to Roslin Glen and can be tended by Webster’s beekeepers. All being well, we would hope to have the Chapel’s very own honey available this autumn.”

Daniel Webster, of Webster Honey, said: “We are really pleased to be working in this amazing setting. We were also very happy to welcome another school on board and we look forward to carrying out our educational classes throughout the season about the important role bees play in our ecosystem. With over 300 hives (and growing) all over Scotland, we are committed to supporting the Scottish bee population. Honeybees are essential to the future of our country and environment, and it’s great to see so many young people getting involved and interested.”

Bees’ return causes a buzz at Rosslyn Chapel Rosslyn Chapel has taken delivery of four hives and re-established a connection between the historic building and bees, which stretches back nearly 600 years. Rosslyn Chapel has taken delivery of four hives and re-established a connection between the historic building and bees, which stretches back nearly 600 years. PHOTO: ROB MCDOUGALL
Bees’ return causes a buzz at Rosslyn Chapel Rosslyn Chapel has taken delivery of four hives and re-established a connection between the historic building and bees, which stretches back nearly 600 years. Rosslyn Chapel has taken delivery of four hives and re-established a connection between the historic building and bees, which stretches back nearly 600 years. PHOTO: ROB MCDOUGALL
Bees’ return causes a buzz at Rosslyn Chapel Rosslyn Chapel has taken delivery of four hives and re-established a connection between the historic building and bees, which stretches back nearly 600 years. Rosslyn Chapel has taken delivery of four hives and re-established a connection between the historic building and bees, which stretches back nearly 600 years. PHOTO: ROB MCDOUGALL
Phyllis Stephen
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Founding Editor of The Edinburgh Reporter.
Edinburgh-born multimedia journalist and iPhoneographer.

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