Scottish Parliament bee population buzzes past one million

The bee population has grown since the hives were first introduced to Holyrood in 2014.

Scottish Parliament buzzing as bee population flies past one million — The Scottish Parliament’s burgeoning bee population has grown to over one million bees. Andrew Cowan

30th Aug 2023

Posted in

Wildlife & Animals

The bee population at the Scottish Parliament has surpassed one million after nine years.

The beehives were introduced to Holyrood in 2014 and have since grown from an initial four hives to 15.

The bee population in the hives in the Members’ Garden grows to more than one million in the summer months, falling back to a third of that figure through winter.

It is estimated that each hive has between 65,000 and 70,000 bees in the height of summer.

Stuart Hood, beekeeper and owner of ‘Hoods Honey’ with Alison Johnstone MSP, Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament Andrew Cowan

Presiding officer Alison Johnstone said: “As a Parliament we are keen to do everything we can to ensure that the future is a sustainable one for all of us.

“We’ve had these bees with us since 2014 and they’re very much part and parcel of our grounds.

“They play a really important role in highlighting all organisations and institutions should do their bit when it comes to promoting biodiversity, tackling climate change and looking at how we produce our food.”

Beekeeper Stuart Hood, who owns Hoods Honey and looks at the hives, said: “This is our ninth year having beehives on site in the Scottish Parliament. In that time we’ve gone from four hives up to 15 now.

“The bees love being based here and thrive in this environment, and I’m proud to say all of the hives on site have been bred here and so are a unique strain to the Scottish Parliament.”