My journey into beekeeping started back in 2016 when I was looking for extra pollination for the plants, grown at our poly tunnel. After some months of extensive research and reading about all the things that can go wrong - I enrolled to beginners beekeeping course in Elgin (in June 2017) which made me fascinated by the wonderful honeybees but terrified at the same time. I wasn't ready yet and feared I can kill them if I start. During the winter of 2017/2018 I attended Aberdeen & District Beekeeping Association (ADBKA) Beginners Classes for beekeepers and actually decided that it's time I get hands on - so far reading about bees got me prepared and aware of the million factors to be considered, so I was not going to get any more ready, so off I went and put my name on the waiting list. So on 08th may 2018 I bought my first colony from ADBKA, transported the precious cargo from Crathes Castle, over the Cairn O'Mount to home and just like that I was a beekeeper :)
Fast forward and few swarms later - I passed the Scottish Beekeepers Association Basic Beekeeping exam (with distinction) and was awarded a BB certificate so it all become official - the rest is a history....
So far every competition I've entered - I walked away with an award or few at the different classes I competed in;
so to date Dani's Bees honey and beeswax have 31 awards, namely:
2021
ADBKA honey show- Best in Show - the A.S.C.D Trophy for best exhibit
ADBKA honey show - The President's trophy- for Heather honey that year
ADBKA honey show - The Bill MacKenzie quaich - the best exhibit in Ling Heather honey
2022
Royal Highland Show - 1st prize in class HY52 - Chutney with honey
Royal Highland Show - 2nd prize in class HY46 - Honey Gingerbread
Royal Highland Show - 2nd prize in class HY47 - Honey cake (awarded and then disqualified due to shape of cake)
Royal Highland Show - 1st prize on class HY43 - coloured photography
Royal Highland Show - 3rd prize in class HY44 - black&white photography
Scottish National Championship - 2nd prize in class 4 - Soft Set Honey
Scottish National Championship - 2nd prize in class 7 - Heather Honey blend
Scottish National Championship- 3rd prize in class 24 - Beeswax photography
Scottish National Championship- Very Highly Commended in class 19 - Display of beeswax
Scottish National Championship- Commended in class 16 - Frame of Ling Heather honey
ADBKA Honey Show -1st prize in class 35b- Photography, close up
ADBKA Honey Show- 2nd prize in class 35c-Photography, not close up
ADBKA Honey Show - 2nd prize in class 23 - candles
ADBKA Honey Show - 3rd prize in class 5 - Bell Heather Honey
ADBKA Honey Show - 3rd prize in class 36 - Shop Window Display
ADBKA Honey Show - 3rd prize in class 39- Honey Shortbread (made by Tamsyn with my honey)
ADBKA Honey Show- 3rd prize in class 42 - Honey Flapjack (made by Tamsyn with my honey)
2023
Royal Highland Show - 1st prize in class 3 - Dark Honey
Royal Highland Show - 1st prize in class 21 - Moulded beeswax
Royal Highland Show - 2nd prize in class 12 - Frame of Ling Heather Honey for Cut Comb
Royal Highland Show - 2nd prize in class 10 - Six jars, labelled for sale - Fettercairn Honey
Royal Highland Show - 2nd prize in class 50 - Honey Tablet (made by Miss V with my heather honey)
Royal Highland Show - 3rd prize in class 31 - 'For Sale' display of honey and beeswax products
Scottish National Honey Show - 1st Prize in Class 17 - One Cake of beeswax more than 454g
Scottish National Honey Show - 2nd Prize in Class 16 - One Shallow frame Ling Heather Honey
Scottish National Honey Show - 2nd Prize in Class 26 - Display of Exibits
Scottish National Honey Show - 3rd Prize in Class 19 - Display of Beeswax in any shape
Scottish National Honey Show - Very Highly Commended award in Class 34 - Honey Marmalade (made by Mearns Marmalades with my heather honey)
Scottish National Honey Show - Highly Commended Award in Class 15 - One shallow frame of Honey, excluding Heather
Scottish National Honey Show - Highly Commended Award in Class 14 - Cut comb Ling Heather Honey
Scottish National Honey Show - Commended Award in Class 22 - Three beeswax candles not moulded
Next step - Getting ready for Royal Highland Show 2024 and hoping for a trophy! to be continued ...
