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.

Old Baptist Manse Announcement

CCDC are pleased to be able to provide short term accommodation to a local family who need to bridge the gap between two tenancies. One of CCDC's main aims is to provide or assist in the provision of housing and we are delighted that bringing this asset into community ownership has allowed us to fulfill this aim. 

In allocating residential use of the Old Manse, Colonsay Community Development Company adopts the policy of giving priority to those in need as a result of the housing shortage on the island; individuals who have made a commitment to making Colonsay their home.  Consideration is given to the resources available to that family or individual, the urgency of their need, and assesses all details on a case by case basis.  

CCDC intends to use this community asset later in the year in support of TSL Contractors Ltd throughout the Scalasaig affordable housing development, and to use the time concurrently to consult the community again with longer-term plans in mind. It is intended that work at the Old Manse itself will be undertaken by TSL during their time there, and this will enhance future possibilities for its use.