Edinburgh hotel to become home to four rooftop beehives for locally-sourced honey

Locals are used to George Street being a hive of activity – but there will soon be a different kind of buzz about the place.

That’s after a deal was agreed to install bee hives on top of the Eden Locke aparthotel.

Scottish sustainable honey company Webster Honey has agreed to put four hives on its roof, supplying the aparthotel with the honey when it is harvested, which they can then sell and use in dishes they serve, and at breakfast time.

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Last year, in what was its very first deal with a hotel in Scotland, Webster Honey tied up with Monachlye Mhor Hotel in Balquidder, near Lochearnhead, when they agreed to have two hives positioned in their grounds.

Commenting on the deal at Eden Locke, Daniel Webster, Managing Director of Webster Honey, 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!

“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.

Scottish sustainable honey company Webster Honey has agreed to put four hives on the roof of Eden Locke.Scottish sustainable honey company Webster Honey has agreed to put four hives on the roof of Eden Locke.
Scottish sustainable honey company Webster Honey has agreed to put four hives on the roof of Eden Locke.

“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.”

Jamie Mackie, General Manager at Eden Locke, said: “We are thrilled to partner with Webster Honey and provide a safe new home for bees at Eden Locke, where they can thrive.

“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!”

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