What can one hive inspection teach us about attention, responsibility and control? A beekeeper reflects on creation through Saint Francis.

A reflection from Paisley Honey on learning beekeeping through a complete Scottish season, and the old tradition of passing a first colony onwards.

Traditional sign painter Hana of Bungo Sign Co spent two unhurried days painting Ben Seillean in honey-gold lettering above our door at Paisley Honey.

Watch Sibyl Dana Reynolds’ reflection on bees, wool, Paisley ancestry, prayer, and sacred making, shared as a guest piece for Paisley Honey.

Saint Benedict is one of those saints who can feel almost too large to approach. Founder of monasteries. Father of Western monasticism. Patron of Europe. A figure whose life and Rule shaped centuries of Christian prayer, community, scholarship, hospitality, agriculture, craft, and daily rhythm.

Bees are far more varied than many of us realise. When we say “bee”, most people picture either the familiar honey bee or a soft, stripy bumblebee moving sleepily from flower to flower. But the bee world is much wider than that. There are mining bees, mason bees, leafcutter bees, furrow bees, carpenter bees, flower bees, nomad bees and many more. Some live in hives. Many do not. Some nest in the ground, some in hollow stems, some in old walls, and some cut perfect little circ

There is a quiet misunderstanding about Lent that returns every year. Somewhere along the way, we began to treat Lent like a spiritual endurance test — a harsh season of denial, grit, and willpower. We picture it as grey, grim, joyless: something to “get through,” something to survive. But Lent was never meant to crush us. It was meant to heal us. Lent is not a punishment. Lent is a return. And return is not about proving your strength — it is about remembering God’s gentlene

Fuel your workout with nature’s best-kept secret. 🐝 Why Raw Honey Is a Game-Changer for Fitness When it comes to performance and recovery, serious athletes are paying more attention to what they put into their bodies. That means cutting down on synthetic supplements and processed sugars — and turning toward natural, nutrient-dense alternatives. One of the best-kept secrets making its way from the kitchen to the gym bag? Raw honey. This golden, unprocessed fuel has become a s

Discover the old beekeeping saying “a swarm in July isn’t worth a fly” and what it teaches about honeybee swarms, timing, weather and the turning of the season.

In May, Scottish bees have access to a variety of flowering plants that provide abundant sources of pollen and nectar. We have been watching the weight in our hives increase with the help of our new remote sensors. The bees are bringing in plenty of forage and building up stores. So whats on the menu? The main sources of May forage in Scotland Some of the biggest sources of pollen and nectar for Scottish bees in May include: Wildflowers: Scotland's diverse landscape is dotted

The safest way to begin beekeeping is to learn with experienced people before taking responsibility for a colony of your own. In Scotland, that means seeing how management changes through spring build-up, swarm season, the honey flow, autumn feeding and winter preparation. What a beginner learns across a beekeeping season A mentor cannot replace a structured beginners’ course, but regular practical sessions can turn theory into judgement. A learner sees when inspections are n

A practical UK guide to winter oxalic-acid treatment: monitor Varroa, confirm brood conditions, use an authorised product and follow its label exactly.

How honey bee colonies regulate heat, what hive insulation changes, and why moisture, stores, health and local winter conditions still matter.

Learn how hive scales help Scottish beekeepers track stores, nectar flow and swarming signals, with safe interpretation, records and inspection limits.

Hello there! Today, we're going to talk about the difference between two types of bees that you may have come across in your garden or park - honey bees and bumblebees. While both of these insects play a crucial role in pollination and are often mistaken for each other, they have some distinct differences that make them unique. So, let's dive in! First of all, let's talk about honey bees, like the one in the above video. Honey bees are social insects that live in large coloni

Today, I want to talk about a topic that is important for both gardeners and nature lovers: the 5 most poisonous plants in Scotland. Knowing about these plants is important for avoiding accidental exposure and keeping yourself, your children, and your pets safe. So, without further ado, let's dive into the list of the 5 most poisonous plants in Scotland: Belladonna (Deadly Nightshade) Belladonna is a highly toxic plant that can cause serious health problems, even death, if in

Exceptionally Hardy perennials. Beautiful umbrella fingered leaves. When we started our gardens we knew it would be a marathon and not a sprint. Lupins were one of the first things to come to mind for planting. They are legumes, like peas beans or clover and so have amazing nitrogen locking abilities and are fantastic for developing a good nutrient base in the soil. As we had started with a blank canvas we needed to invest in the soil structure and quality. We als