Beekeeping Courses

Why not combine a weekend beekeeping course with a visit to one of Scotland’s most remote and beautiful islands. Courses are taught at three levels:-

Beginners - to suit complete beginners and those with some background and who are perhaps starting with their own bees.

Intermediate – to suit those with some experience but who wish to improve skills.

Queen Rearing - to help those wishing to raise their own queens and have available for others.

Course Dates for 2021

Due to Covid 19 restrictions no courses could be held in 2020.  These courses have been carried over to 2021.  Present uncertainties still remain for this spring and summer.  The safety of all course participants must take priority and will determine if courses can be held or not.

Beginners 

Weekend  May    8th and 9th ( Fully Booked )

Weekend  June   5th and 6th   ( Fully Booked )

Weekend  June   19th and 20th  (Spaces available) 

Intermediate

Weekend   May 22d and 23d  (Fully Booked)

Intermediate/Queen Rearing 

Weekend July 3d and 4th   (Spaces available)

The Beekeeper

Andrew Abrahams has kept bees commercially on Colonsay for over 40 years and has wide experience of honey production and queen rearing. He holds the Scottish Beekeepers Association Master Beekeepers Certificate and has a BSc (Hons) Degree in Agriculture. He has teaching experience in both beekeeping and agriculture.

The Courses

All courses are limited to 10 participants, allowing everyone to get good access to the bees. Participants are encouraged to handle the bees and to raise their individual questions and concerns. Teaching is based very much on the premise that, we forget much of what we read or hear; we remember some of what we see; and we forget little of what we do

If the weather permits, all teaching is carried out in the apiaries, working with and learning from the bees. Much emphasis is placed on learning how to handle bees gently.

For further information, please email Andrew, colonsayblackbees@gmail.com

Visit http://www.colonsay.info/text/beecourses.html for more details.

Colonsay Moorings Development

 
A Marine License Application for the 10 moorings due to go into Queen’s Bay was submitted to the Crown Estate in March. CCDC also submitted an application to Marine Scotland in late April. Both these applications have had a considerable amount of input from MOWI who are one of our key match-funders for this development. We hope to hear if our applications are successful in the next six to eight weeks. MOWI would like to see the moorings installed as soon as possible, but as you would expect, COVID-19 has impacted many of the administrative and physical processes required to see the 2 tonne anchor blocks put in place. Similarly, the Path Development has been delayed due to an inability to source materials. Our funder, Paths for All, are understanding of the situation and are willing to work with us on this. Colonsay Estate has agreed in principle to the path up to the church and we are working through the details with them.  
In the meantime, CCDC have been corresponding with other marine establishments, and are working on a management plan which incorporates an online booking system for the moorings.  
If anyone has any thoughts or questions about the moorings. Please contact Roz Jewell: rjewellccdc.ldo@gmail.com