ApiScotia 2025
ApiScotia 2025

APISCOTIA 2025
This enjoyable weekend of beekeeping is for SBA members who hold the Basic Beekeeping Certificate, who have been keeping bees for a few years, and who are ready and willing to support novice beekeepers in their area to keep bees well. This is also an excellent weekend for those looking to work towards their Intermediate exam.
MEET, LEARN, SHARE
MEET
Join us at 4pm on Friday 2nd May for a pre-dinner talk about Dumfries House Estate, the King’s Foundation and enjoy a tour of their working farm. This is free to attend and open to residential and non-residential participants, just remember to add it to your booking.
LEARN
Our base for the weekend of 3rd and 4th of May is the MacRobert Farming and Rural Skills Centre. We’ll split into groups and participate in seven sessions each day, led by our excellent course tutors: Alan Riach, Andy Watson, Bron and David Wright, Fiona Highet MBE, Graham Torrie, John Smith, Margaret Murdin NDB, Matthew Richardson, Stephen Sunderland and Yvonne Davidson.
Across the 2 days the sessions will cover best practice in:
Reading a Colony Shook Swarm
Manipulating a Colony Fumigating Comb
Increasing Colonies Nutrition
Mentoring Disease Inspection
Teaching Varroa Adult Diseases
Beekeeper Safety Drone Laying Colonies
Genetics Prevention is Better Than Cure
SHARE
Relax and get to know others on the course in the Tamar Manoukian Residential Centre when we all get together. With breakfast, lunch, and snacks included for everyone each day, you won’t go hungry.
OPTION 1: RESIDENTIAL, STAY ONSITE FOR THE WEEKEND
Are you ready for an adventure with friends? We’ve booked the on-site residential centre, aka The Bunkhouse, which comprises separate male and female dormitories with bunk beds for two to eight guests per room. With a variety of extra activities on offer this is the fun place to be.
Residential – Course fees, meals, accommodation on Friday & Saturday – £295
Make the most of your visit to this lovely estate by staying on site until Monday morning. Add Sunday night dinner, bed and breakfast for £95.
If bunk beds aren’t for you, there’s alternative accommodation in the surrounding areas and also camping and caravan sites. Just choose option 2, Non-Residential.
OPTION 2: NON-RESIDENTIAL, TRAVEL IN EACH DAY
There are plenty of places to stay in the surrounding area with Cumnock a 5min drive away, Kilmarnock and Ayr only 20min by car.
Non-Residential – Course fee incl. all training sessions, breakfast, lunch on Saturday & Sunday £195
Junior members who hold the Basic Beekeeper Certificate are eligible too. The course and accommodation fee for Juniors is £235 or £155 for non-residents. All Juniors must be accompanied by a paying adult.
BOOKINGS
Tickets are on sale now, please CLICK HERE to book your place. Spaces are limited!
You’ll need your SBA membership number and polo shirt size.
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