Keeping bees
Copied from council document - "Cultivating Communities: A Growing Challenge – An allotments strategy for the City of Edinburgh (2010-2015)"
APPENDIX 5: Management rules for the keeping of bees
1. There should be no automatic right to keep bees on any allotment site or plot. Some
sites will not be suitable due to the proximity of footpaths or houses. Other sites
may be too insecure, leaving hives open to vandalism.
2. Where conditions are suitable there should still be a limitation on the number of
hives. Two hives would be a reasonable number on one plot and the total number
would need to be governed by the size of the site. Six hives should be considered
the maximum even on the largest sites. Initially, it would be best to allow only a
single beekeeper on any one site in order to gauge the reactions of fellow plot
holders over a period of time.
3. Only beekeepers with reasonable experience should be given permission to keep
bees on an allotment. An applicant should hold a “Basic Beemaster Certificate.”
This is a qualification awarded by the Scottish Beekeepers Association (SBA) to
beekeepers who have passed a foundation examination the theory and practice of
beekeeping. It is usually awarded to beekeepers who have kept bees satisfactorily
for one or two years. An allotment is not a suitable place for a new beekeeper to
start with a first hive and, even if they have one or two years experience, it would be
wise for them to be members of their local association where they would have
access to an experienced mentor.
4. Beekeepers must be members of the Scottish Beekeepers Association as
membership provides £2,000,000 Public Liability Insurance. This covers public
footpaths and houses.
5. All plot holders adjacent to the proposed apiary site must be in agreement.
Dissenters should not be over-ruled by a majority vote as the wishes and needs of
gardeners should be paramount. On smaller sites it would probably be necessary for
all the plot holders to agree. There would also need to be some protection for an
established beekeeper. An adjacent plot that becomes vacant should not be let to
someone opposed to bees.
6. Manipulations of hives should not be carried out when other plot holders are working
nearby. Time must be allowed for bees to settle after these manipulations.
7. There must be provisions in place to deal with any situations arising during a
beekeepers absence. Reliable contact numbers should be available, somewhere on
the site, in case of problems. Cover must be arranged if the beekeeper is away.
8. Bees could cause problems because of poor management but it might well be
possible to resolve these. Plot holders who are experiencing problems from bees
should bring these to the attention of the Allotments Officer, who will be able to call
upon advice from an Edinburgh and Midlothian Beekeepers Association member.
Very aggressive bees should never be permitted on a plot.
APPENDIX 5: Management rules for the keeping of bees
1. There should be no automatic right to keep bees on any allotment site or plot. Some
sites will not be suitable due to the proximity of footpaths or houses. Other sites
may be too insecure, leaving hives open to vandalism.
2. Where conditions are suitable there should still be a limitation on the number of
hives. Two hives would be a reasonable number on one plot and the total number
would need to be governed by the size of the site. Six hives should be considered
the maximum even on the largest sites. Initially, it would be best to allow only a
single beekeeper on any one site in order to gauge the reactions of fellow plot
holders over a period of time.
3. Only beekeepers with reasonable experience should be given permission to keep
bees on an allotment. An applicant should hold a “Basic Beemaster Certificate.”
This is a qualification awarded by the Scottish Beekeepers Association (SBA) to
beekeepers who have passed a foundation examination the theory and practice of
beekeeping. It is usually awarded to beekeepers who have kept bees satisfactorily
for one or two years. An allotment is not a suitable place for a new beekeeper to
start with a first hive and, even if they have one or two years experience, it would be
wise for them to be members of their local association where they would have
access to an experienced mentor.
4. Beekeepers must be members of the Scottish Beekeepers Association as
membership provides £2,000,000 Public Liability Insurance. This covers public
footpaths and houses.
5. All plot holders adjacent to the proposed apiary site must be in agreement.
Dissenters should not be over-ruled by a majority vote as the wishes and needs of
gardeners should be paramount. On smaller sites it would probably be necessary for
all the plot holders to agree. There would also need to be some protection for an
established beekeeper. An adjacent plot that becomes vacant should not be let to
someone opposed to bees.
6. Manipulations of hives should not be carried out when other plot holders are working
nearby. Time must be allowed for bees to settle after these manipulations.
7. There must be provisions in place to deal with any situations arising during a
beekeepers absence. Reliable contact numbers should be available, somewhere on
the site, in case of problems. Cover must be arranged if the beekeeper is away.
8. Bees could cause problems because of poor management but it might well be
possible to resolve these. Plot holders who are experiencing problems from bees
should bring these to the attention of the Allotments Officer, who will be able to call
upon advice from an Edinburgh and Midlothian Beekeepers Association member.
Very aggressive bees should never be permitted on a plot.