Busy bees arrive at Scottish Parliament

The Parliament became the first legislature in the UK to have beehives when two were installed earlier this year.

Presiding Officer, the Rt Hon Tricia Marwick MSP, said: “The Scottish Parliament has welcomed many guests and visitors but there has been a special buzz around the bees.

“Since we announced we would become the first Parliament in the UK to have its own beehives, the enthusiasm and level of interest from members, staff and visitors has been astonishing. We are looking forward to trying the first batch of honey which will hopefully be ready later this year.”

Paul Holmes, chairman of Kelvin Valley Honey, said: “Being the first of the UK’s four legislatures to welcome honey bees into its midst shows remarkable foresight and demonstrates in very real and practical ways the Scottish Parliament’s commitment to the nation’s environment.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for Scotland’s law makers to observe at first hand the work of these amazing insects and the vital contributions that they make to our everyday lives, the environment and Scotland’s economy.

“Having honey bees at its heart not only benefits the Parliament but, through increased levels of pollination, also benefits the wider Edinburgh environment, most especially the city’s green spaces, parks and gardens by as much as two and a half miles around it.”