News & Blog

Read the latest business news, blogs and thought leadership articles from our members, as well as updates on the Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce's work in the city.

News & Blog

50,000 Honey Bees Buzzing at the Balmoral

Posted: 27th July 2016

The Balmoral - Roof Top Bees - L-R Brian Grigor (Head Chef Number One) Brian Pool (Bee Keeper)  Richard Dalgleish (Sous Chef at Number One)

Over 50,000 honey bees have been busy working hard to produce home-grown honey which will be served to guests at the iconic Edinburgh hotel.

 
The colony of Italian honey bees checked in to their hive on the rooftop of The Balmoral in Spring and started work ahead of the busy Summer season. Now the bees have been producing honey, guests are guaranteed to enjoy a sweet treat during their stay.

 
The Balmoral is the first five-star hotel in the city to welcome bees as permanent guests and has been working with bee keeper Brian Pool at Scottish Honey to ensure that the bees settled well into their rooftop hive. Brian said:

 
“The bees are enjoying their new home high above the Edinburgh skyline. The conditions are excellent and they’ve been travelling to Calton Hill, the Botanic Gardens and Arthur’s Seat to collect nectar and pollen. So far the bees have produced 20kg of honey and look set to continue working hard through the summer months.”

 
Brian has been training the team at the hotel’s Michelin-starred restaurant, Number One, to ensure that there’s always someone on-site to look after the hive. The Number One team will work with Brian to oversee the production and ensure that each of the hotel’s restaurants and bars receive their fair share of honey.

Number One Head Chef, Brian Grigor, said:

“We’re thrilled to be working with Scottish Honey on this collaboration and help support this environmentally friendly practice. Brian Pool is a third-generation professional beekeeper with over 40 years of experience, there is no better person placed to look after our five-star bees. It has been fascinating to learn about the honey production process and our team look forward to serving it to our guests this Summer.”

Business Comment

Business Comment is the Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce’s bi-monthly magazine. It provides insight on Edinburgh’s vibrant business community, with features on the city’s key sectors, interviews with leading figures and news on new business developments in the capital.
Read more here