Urban beehive has become the latest buzzphrase in fashion-forward foodie circles.
It seems having your own hive means honey is locally produced, better for you than imported versions –and helps save the honeybee from extinction.
Now Victor Contini, who owns the Scottish Cafe at the National Gallery of Scotland (NGS), has announced plans to place two beehives on the top of the building on the Mound in Edinburgh later this year. Honey from these hives will be sold in the NGS shop.
It follows a number of similar ventures across the world.
There are hives on top of the Waldorf Astoria hotel in New York, on the roof of the Opera Garnier in Paris, and in around 30 commercial sites in London – including Fortnum & Mason and Harrods.
Phil McAnespie, president of the Scottish Beekeepers' Association, said: "Urban beekeeping has really been on the rise for the past two to three years.
"There are more flowers and plants for bees to forage in the city than there are in the countryside, where there tends to be a lot of farming and more pesticides."
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