Native black honeybees...

...previously thought to be extinct in the UK could hold the key to reversing the dramatic decline in honeybee colonies in Britain because they are more adapted to the UK climate than the southern European honeybee....so I have read.

There hardiness allows the bees to gather nectar on cool sunless days and forage in a wind that would keep most colonies indoors.

There are around 50 colonies of bees on Colonsay and Oronsay.

It takes as many as 50,000 bee flights to gather a pound of honey - remember that next time you enjoy a spoonful!

The Colonsay honey is very special and this visit I tasted Colonsay honey ice cream - it was wonderful, what a flavour!