Perthshire is heather honey country, and home to several of Scotland's largest bee farms. The season follows a set pattern: through spring and early summer hives work lowland blossom, farmland and soft fruit, then in mid-July many are moved up into the heather-clad glens, where bell and ling heather flower for about six weeks. The heather crop depends entirely on the weather and is taken off in early September.
Heather Hills Farm at Bridge of Cally, near Blairgowrie, has produced honey since 1945 and runs around 1,300 hives across Perthshire and Deeside. Denrosa Apiaries at Coupar Angus, operating since 1950, is Scotland's largest heather honey producer, though its honey goes only in bulk to the trade. Scarletts, near Meigle, runs up to 900 hives on farms in Perthshire, Angus and Fife.
On a smaller scale, Perthshire Honey at Stanley is run by John Graham, a third-generation beekeeper who spent years helping his father move hives to the heather, and Arbuckle's farm shop at Invergowrie sells raw heather honey from hives in the Angus Glens. In the Ochil Hills near Forgandenny, Cloverlea Apiaries (The Friendly Bee Company) is a family bee farm that breeds Scottish native honey bees and sells blossom, soft-set, infused and heather honey. Perth and District Beekeepers Association, which meets at Perth Cathedral, is the local association.
Use the listing details to choose how to buy, then contact the producer before travelling.
The directory does not track live stock or harvest dates. Availability, collection, delivery, prices and seasonal varieties can change, so ask the producer to confirm what is currently available.
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