HONEY bees first appeared on earth 100 million years ago. As well as being auld, all indications are that they were also pretty crabbit back then.
Originally carnivorous insects, bees preyed on other insects - much like their belligerent wasp relatives do today.
But, with the appearance of flowers in the Cretaceous period, their bad behaviour began to mellow. Some bees started to feed on flowers, which led to pollination - and flower populations exploded as a result.
In short, these reformed characters made planet earth flourish.
Yet, there is a sting in the tale.
Eons later in the present day, very tragically, these guardians of our ecosystem are plummeting in number.
And one development in the world of Scotch underlines just how incredible-and important-honeybees are.
Scottish whisky liqueur Bruadar is created by carefully balancing single malt Scotch whisky, sloe berries and honey - which is produced from the distillery's very own hives.
Bruadar is owned by Morrison Scotch Whisky Distillers, the independent bottler and whisky distillers, who produce a wide selection of whiskies including Mac-Talla Islay Single Malt, Old Perth, a sherry-matured blended malt whisky range, and Carn Mor.
The Morrison family is one of Scotland's oldest and most prominent whisky dynasties. Last year they approached Denrosa Honey, who have been beekeepers in Scotland for three generations, to place hives on their farm in Aberargie.
The aim was not only to enhance the local provenance of the liqueur, but to also strengthen the ecosystem around the distillery.
Bu hikaye The Scots Magazine dergisinin September 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye The Scots Magazine dergisinin September 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
Unst To Orbit
Shetland's spaceport is set to take Europe by storm, launching rockets to the stratosphere
Just Passing Through
A tale of the unexpected unfolds at dawn in a Stirlingshire glen as a rare, shy creature slips out of the shadows
Brigadoon Revisited
An affectionate look back at the low budget \"synthetic Scotch\" movie that still sparkles in the mist, 70 years on
A Brand New Opening
The Scots Magazine revisits the Old Course in St Andrews almost 70 years on and celebrates recent progress in welcoming women
Kenmore's Crossroads
Fury over a luxury redevelopment at the Perthshire village made news headlines around the world but is the tide of popular opinion turning?
Seeing Double!
Sam Heughan's Outlander body double, lain Wilkie, shares stories about his experiences on and off screen
The Story & The Song
With a soundtrack to a Shetland tale, author and musician Malachy Tallack blends his artistic passions in his latest venture
A Rebirth From The Earth
Erland Cooper's intriguing project has given nature and two determined fans a hand in shaping and bringing his new album to light
Nip Of Champions
Whisky has long been associated with moments of triumph, including a recent example of clever sporting motivation
The Waterside Hotel
A spectacular spot on the stunning Ayrshire coast