Landshare
Do you own land?
We are looking to match landowners with beekeepers across Edinburgh & Midlothian.
Could you provide space for honeybee hives on your land?
Please read our FAQ’s below, then contact us using the link on this page if you wish to proceed.
As well as the obvious pollination and other environmental benefits of having honeybees on your land, our guidance is for you to receive a 1lb (454g) jar of honey per full hive hosted. You may even wish to put on a beekeeping suit and experience a hive inspection!
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Yes. We will only pair you with beekeepers who have the SBA Basic Beekeeping Certificate or have 3+ years of experience. The beekeeper would also do a Health & Safety Risk assessment following the EMBA Guidelines.
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Yes. We will only pair you with beekeepers who are members of the Scottish Beekeepers’ Association which gives them Public and Products Liability insurance.
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Potentially yes, but only if that’s what you want. Some beekeepers will be looking for a permanent “out apiary” but others may be looking to put hives on the heather for only 1 month of the year.
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Feel free to forward this webpage to others you think may be able to help. We’re keen to talk to wind farm owners, utilities and other types of land managers and land owners.
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The beekeeper will need vehicular access to the site within a reasonable distance to carry hives and hive parts. Honey is extracted off site and needs to be carried to the car. During the season the hives will be inspected weekly, if on site over winter there will be the occasional visit for feeding and treatments.
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Not usually. Access and privacy are generally problematic when putting hives in a garden, however a larger garden with good access might be suitable. We are generally looking for larger areas of land such as managed agricultural land, where the bees can be easily accessed and kept safely out of people’s way.
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Smaller apiaries for 4 to 6 hives would use about 10m2, larger apiaries tend to have hives on long stands or pallets and thus take up less room per hive.
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We’re really looking for landowners with space for between 4 to 10 hives, you’ll be asked more details on the number you are comfortable with in the next phase.
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Many sites are suitable, but it would need to be sheltered but sunny, not adjacent to public roads or footpaths, away from livestock, and with good forage in the vicinity.
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Our association (EMBA) was formed in 1894 and to this day our objective is the encouragement and the advancement of Beekeeping.
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Please register your interest by completing this form, and we will be in touch!