Two Glasgow hotels have installed beehives in the gardens of a local hospice housing up to 100,000 bees.
The initiative was carried out by voco Grand Central and Kimpton Blythswood Square for the Prince and Princess of Wales Hospice in Glasgow’s Southside.
It aims to provide patients with the therapeutic benefits of fresh honey in their diet and foster their connection with nature which is part of a broader effort to enhance their overall well-being.
Any excess honey harvested will be jarred and sold in the hospice gift shop to fund maintenance.
(Image: tigerbond)
Marcello Ventisei, cluster general manager at voco Grand Central and Kimpton Blythswood Square, said: "We are thrilled to be able to contribute to the Prince and Princess of Wales Hospice in such a meaningful way.
“I hope the honey produced by the hives brings a little sweetness to the day for hospice patients. I’ve tried the honey myself and can testify that it is delicious and like no honey I’ve ever tasted before.”
In addition to the beehives, the hospice was provided with premade jars of local honey ready for immediate sale while the new hive residents built their reserves.
The hives were handed over in a ceremony attended by staff from both the hotel and hospice which saw their official names unveiled as ‘Let it Bee’ and ‘Buzzingham Palace’.
(Image: tigerbond)
Rhona Baillie OBE, chief executive of The Prince & Princess of Wales Hospice, said: “Thank you to the entire team at voco Grand Central and Kimpton Blythswood Square for their generous donation and support.
“The hives have already began producing delicious honey that we’ve been serving to patients with their breakfast, and the jars sold will help us continue to support families affected by a terminal diagnosis across the South of Glasgow and East Renfrewshire.”
Katie and Edward O'Brien, a father-daughter pair from a family-run business Ed's Bees, are monitoring the progress of the hives.
Katie said: “Bees are incredibly vital to our ecosystem – without them, the world as we know it would rapidly decline.
“Bees pollinate trees and wildflowers, which then supports other insects, birds, bats, and other mammals. They also pollinate food crops and feed livestock – saving farmers millions of pounds in manual labour.
“The hotels have done a wonderful thing by donating these hives, and it’s been a pleasure to watch the bees thrive in their new home.”
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