A change from the ewe-sual

The Scottish Beekeeping Association’s monthly magazine arrived through the post at the weekend. I read it while sitting out in the sun with a cup of coffee.

One of the first articles I read was “the internet of bees”, the story of a beekeeper who has used technology on his hive. He’s adapted a set of electronic scales on which to sit his hive and connected it all to wifi. He can now see the weight difference every morning as thousands of bees get up and leave for work and then can track the increasing weight as they all slowly return throughout the day. Something I’ve come to learn as I get more involved in this hobby is that non-beekeepers are fascinated by the concept of beekeeping, but not the details. When you add in a technology element, most people’s It’s the school Easter holidays, so Anne and I took the kids to Auchingarrich Wildlife Centre, near Comrie, last week.

Located deep in the Perthshire Hills, my kids love it because they can get up close with the animals. I love it because it is nine miles from the main road and incredibly peaceful and still. Apart from the noisy kids. But over the last few years I’ve become good at zoning that sound out. The highlight for most young visitors appears to be the hatchery where they can get to hold chicks. It’s a great place for young kids or grandkids - look out for the amusing tartan sheep.

Chris Kane is a journalist and marketing consultant with Bee Herd Media Ltd. Contact him at www.beeherdmedia.co.uk