Beginners’ Beekeeping Course in Inverness

When is it?
The course runs for four sessions. Three engaging and entertaining presentations, each followed by a Q&A, take place over consecutive Thursdays. These are followed by a practical session at our Inverness apiary.

Week 1: Thursday, 16th April at 19:30
Week 2: Thursday, 23rd April at 19:30
Week 3: Thursday, 30th April at 19:30

These sessions last approximately 1-1.5 hours, and there is a chance to ask questions and enjoy a cuppa (and sometimes cake!).

Week 4: Provisionally scheduled for either Saturday 9th or Saturday 16th May, though this is subject to change as it's dictated by weather conditions and the availability of the majority of students. Start time TBC.

This session lasts approximately 3-4 hours, depending on numbers.

Where is it?
Presentations take place at The Club, 5 Gordon Terrace, Inverness, IV2 3HD. There’s cheap parking here (Pay & Display, payable by cash, card or contactless). The practical session is at our apiary at Knocknagael, Inverness.

What does it cost?
£80 per person, which includes membership of Inverness-shire Beekeepers' Association for the rest of 2026. The fee for existing IBA members is £55 (if that's you, please email us so we can send you a special code to use when reserving your place via Eventbrite).

Refunds will only be given if, in the event of unforeseen circumstances, we need to cancel the course, or if we change the dates of the presentations (weeks 1, 2 and 3) and this results in you no longer being able to attend.

Who’ll be teaching the course?
The course is run by our committee. Between us, we have extensive experience as beekeepers, and we’re looking forward to sharing our knowledge and enthusiasm with this year’s beginner beekeepers.

What will I learn?
We aim to give anyone curious about beekeeping a good grounding in the basics, equipping them with the skills and confidence to keep healthy, happy bees. It’s also a great refresher course for novice beekeepers, or those returning to beekeeping after a long break.

Weeks 1, 2 and 3
We cover a range of topics without overwhelming our beginner beekeepers. You'll delve deeper into the history, biology and ecology of honey bees and the importance of pollinators, and hear more about the practicalities of keeping your own bees.

We'll take a tour of a hive (minus the bees – that's what the apiary visit is for!), demonstrate essential equipment, and guide you through the key events of the beekeeping year, including swarm season and the honey harvest.

Pests and diseases are one of the less enjoyable parts of beekeeping, but it's vital to be able to identify and treat symptoms, and know how to prevent them in the first place. You'll also learn the whats, whys and whens of feeding bees.

Week 4 (apiary visit)
It's time to get hands-on hive experience! You’ll have the chance to don a bee suit, open up a hive, and handle frames of bees if you feel ready. We'll also teach you skills such as assembling a frame of foundation and lighting a smoker. Bee suits and equipment are provided – you will need to bring wellies/sturdy boots and a pair of clean washing-up gloves to this practical session.

Please check our FAQ section for more information, and feel free to email us at [email protected] or [email protected] if your question isn't answered there.

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Host or Publisher Inverness-shire Beekeepers’ Association