Scottish Beekeepers Association - Beekeeper's address tae a haggis

Scottish Beekeepers' Association
Supporting Scotland's Bees and Beekeepers

Scotland's New Honey Bee Health Strategy For 2022-2032

The Strategy was published on the 30th of June, and has been developed in conjunction with the Bee Health Improvement Partnership (BHIP). It has taken into account the review of the previous strategy and the results of the recent Scottish Government honey bee health survey. To download the Strategy please click here or on the image above.

Its main aim is “Working in partnership to achieve a healthy and sustainable population of honey bees in Scotland”.

The strategy details five pillars which will outline the ways of working which we will base our actions over the next 10 years:

1. Education, Training and Knowledge Transfer

2. Communication and partnership working across government, operational partners, stakeholders and all of those with an interest in honey bees in Scotland

3. Pest and Disease surveillance, prevention, diagnosis, and control

4. Research and Development.

5. On-going review of the regulatory framework

The Strategy will be the overarching document which will be accompanied by an Implementation Plan. This will be a ‘living’ document detailing more specifically the actions which the BHIP will deliver in order to achieve the desired outcomes for honey bee health in Scotland. The Plan will be updated regularly following quarterly BHIP meetings and published on the Scottish Government website on our Bee Health pages.

Additional background information and previous publications:

· Scotland’s first 10 year Honey Bee Health Strategy (Published June 2010)

· Review of the first 10 year strategy (Published October 2021)

· Honey Bee Heath Strategy Survey Report 2022 (Published March 2022)

Any additional questions should be directed to the Scottish Government’s Bee Health Team at: Bees_mailbox@gov.scot

Beekeeper's address tae a haggis by Alan Riach

Fair fa' your honest,sonsie face,
Great chieftain o the puddin race!
Aboon them a' ye tak your place,
Painch , tripe, or thairm
Weel are ye worthy o' a grace
As lang's my arm.

The groaning trencher there ye fill,
Just like a super on the hill,
Wi heather honey like to spill,
In harvest weather.
While thro’ your pores the dews distil
Like well pressed heather.

Uncapping knife the beekeeper bears,
Tae cut ye up with ne’r a teer
Expose your gushing entrails bright,
Like chestnut pollen;
And then, O what a glorious sight,
Warm reekin, open!

Hive tool and smoker on they strive;
Deil tak the hindmost, on they drive,
Till a' their weel swall'd kytes belyve
As tight as drums;
The good auld beekeeper, like to rive
'Bethankit' hums.

Less able folk eat French ragout
Or olio would bed a soo
Or fricassee wad mak her spew
Wi perfect scunner;
They look down wi ’ scornfu view
On such a dinner?

Poor devils, see them owre their jar.
As feckless as a wither'd spar,
Their spindle airms, like bottom bars
And fists like peanuts
Wi good black bees they fear to war
O how unfit!

But mark the Scot, with haggis fed;
And heather honey; hear his tread
In ample fist a hive tool blade,
He'll work it faster;
The bees stand back wi full respect,
For such a master.

Ye Pow'rs , wha mak mankind your care,
And dish them out their bill o fare,
Scots beefolk want nae watery ware
That slops in juggies;
But, if ye wish their grateful prayer,
Gie them a Haggis

abr - with apologies to The Bard!