Honey Farm

Now, between my lunar calendar, biodynamic calendar, Chinese 5 Elements chart, bio-rhythms, meridians and menstrual cycle, I was beginning to feel a wee bit overwhelmed (wee as in the understated, Calvinist, Scottish vernacular). A little light-hearted relief was therefore warmly welcomed in the form of a field trip to the Honey (no, not Funny) Farm!

Our group, reduced by the absence of Catherine, our trusty leader, and Amy (who is making first-class films in another sphere) all met for a pre-trip herbal tea (aka coffee) at the RBGE and then left the classroom behind.  We were greeted by our minibus driver (identity unknown)  who arrived late, accompanied by his daughter who had been beaten up by neighbours - so it was a slightly bewildering drive down the A1, as he careened through traffic, mobile in hand, Radio Forth blasting… perhaps his meridians weren’t aligned either.

An hour later, having missed the turning by 5 miles, a backseat revolt was initiated and we finally repointed ourselves towards our goal: a rambling farm track past barns of double-decker London buses, ancient tractors and rusting trailers to arrive the Chainbridge Honey Farm.

Willie S Robson owner and patron of Chainbridge was raised into a family that has kept bees for over a hundred years, he hums, thinks and works like a bee. His love of his black honeybees (indigenous to Scotland – not foreign imports) is infectious. He is in harmony with his hives; he knows what they know, feels the weather as they do, frets over lost habitats and wards off disease and mites through proper old fashioned bee husbandry.  They appreciate it and return their gratitude by producing 65 tonnes of honey a year.

Heather 

Frances and Heather, Willie’s daughters, took us through the honey harvesting, cleaning, bottling and labelling process in their shining new Danish steelware facility. Imbued by the scent of honey everywhere, we were more than ready to sample a slice of their wonderful honeycomb fresh from the hive.  Beautiful thick, gooey golden nectar it is too. Fortified, we toured the beeswax and candle making rooms and finally arrived at the heart of the potions and lotions kitchen. Here we found an enlarged version of our own classroom – replete with giant mixers, mashers, strainers, heaters and oils - 60 litres big in this instance. Frances talked through their labelling and explained how the helpful Food Safety agency won’t let them describe any of their products as ‘healing’ or even 'soothing for dry’ skin,

Raw Beeswax

But healing and soothing it is. Honey has antibacterial and antiseptic properties and if applied to a wound will destroy bacteria and encourage the growth of new tissue and skin.  It is also known to have a beneficial effect on the immune system and is an anti-inflammatory. Different honeys have different characteristics such as Manuka honey from New Zealand where honeybees are surrounded by Tea Trees, the oil of which is a renowned antiseptic. Merged with beeswax, oat oil, and delicate scents, honey is also a wonderful treat for the skin.

Beeswax vats

Bee Farm Paparazzi

Sated and sticky, we headed north of the border again - driver calm, radio low, gently pulled by the rising moon back up the coast to home.