The Sweet Secret of Scotland’s Parliament: A Million Bees and the Great Seal

In a fascinating twist, one million honey bees play a crucial role in Scotland’s legislative process. These industrious insects inhabit 15 hives on the roof of the Scottish Parliament building in Edinburgh, not only producing honey but also the beeswax that seals each Act of the Scottish Parliament. This vital responsibility falls to the official beekeeper of the Scottish Parliament, Stuart Hood.

For Stuart Hood, beekeeping is not just a profession; it’s a family tradition. His relationship with bees dates back to a childhood memory when a bee stung him as his father kissed him goodnight, leaving a lasting impression. He chuckles, “If I had a pound for every time I’ve been stung, I’d be sitting on a beach somewhere with my feet up drinking cocktails, but I wouldn’t be. I’d still be looking after my bees, to be honest with you.”

Stuart’s daughter, Eilidh, continues the family legacy as a fourth-generation beekeeper, and together, they make regular visits to the parliament in the summer months to tend to the hives. Their duties include ensuring the health of the bees, monitoring the queens’ activities, and providing them with enough honey to last through the winter.

Remarkably, the presence of these bees is welcomed by everyone at the parliament, with no significant issues reported regarding bee stings. In fact, any surplus honey produced by these hardworking bees is sold at the parliamentary shop, where it enjoys immense popularity among visitors.

Stuart Hood points out, “I think it’s the most popular item they have at the Scottish Parliament shop – there’s a bit of a stampede to get down there when they announce that the honey is for sale. We would never take honey off our hives to sell if it would neglect them; they are our priority. My dad used to say look after the bees, and the bees will look after you.”

But the role of these bees goes beyond honey production. After the honey harvest, the Hood family collects and purifies the leftover beeswax from the frames. This beeswax is then delivered to the National Records of Scotland for a special purpose – creating the Great Seal of Scotland. The wax is melted, and red dye is added, transforming it into the seal used to authenticate Acts of the Scottish Parliament.

The Hood family has been dedicated beekeepers since the 1950s, and their bees can be traced back to a strain bred by renowned beekeeper Willie Smith. Mr. Smith, a veteran of World War I, mentored Stuart Hood’s father, George Hood. The Hood family continues to care for their bees using methods developed by Mr. Smith, and a piece of his legacy lives on in the hives kept at the Scottish Parliament.

The Scottish Parliament holds the distinction of being the first legislature in the United Kingdom to maintain beehives. These hives located in the Members Garden provide the bees with access to the lush gardens around the parliament building, as well as the nearby Arthur’s Seat and Holyrood Park.

The picturesque surroundings have inspired local artist Jenni Douglas to create custom artwork featured on various items sold in the parliamentary shop, such as bags, notebooks, coasters, and tea towels. These designs, known as ParliBees, are inspired by the parliament building itself, incorporating elements of the architecture, from the oak beams to the struts on the doors and windows. The notebook even features a leaf pattern that mirrors the upturned boats seen from the parliament roof, providing a unique “bee’s-eye” view of the landscape.

This heartwarming and unique collaboration between the Scottish Parliament, the Hood family, and local artists not only enriches the parliamentary experience but also celebrates the invaluable contribution of honey bees to Scotland’s rich history and traditions.