Hi, I’m Gino the beekeeper from Edinburgh with a passion for honey, and a great respect for its makers; the honey bees.

Over the years, I dreamed of learning how to keep bees and producing honey. It all started when my grandparents brought me a honey jar home from holidays. I couldn’t believe the flavour – nothing else like it.

My real journey began in 2014 when I took a beginner beekeeping course and got
my first colony of honey bees to care for. My beekeeping education is important to me and I hold: A Beemaster qualification in practical beekeeping, the Advanced Module Certificate for completing all 7 theory exam papers (the beekeeping year, plants & honey, pests & disease, bee anatomy, honey bee behaviour, reproduction & genetics, and advanced honey bee management), Train the Trainers Certificate for teaching beekeeping, as well as nine years experience with caring for bees.

The diverse flavours and origins of honey fascinate me, and curiosity lead me to a sommelier course and specialist training in this area. I’m also a keen supporter of local and major honey shows, regularly exhibiting and contributing to their running, and greeting visitors at The Royal Highland Show and the National Honey Show in London.  I am also a honey sensory judge for international honey varieties at the prestigious London International Honey Awards.

I’m actively involved with the Scottish Beekeeping Community and keep current on best practice. Where I am a member of local bee clubs, serve as a trustee for the governing body for beekeeping in Scotland The Scottish Beekeepers’ Association (SBA), and organise, and host a very popular beekeeping webinar once a month for the Scottish beekeeping community.

Beekeeping Qualifications and Experience

  • Scottish Expert Beemaster
  • Advanced Beekeeping Theory Certificate
  • Advanced Practical Certificate
  • Certified Trainer in Beekeeping
  • Level III Certificate for Honey Sensory Analysis
  • Ten years Beekeeping Experience

Professional Bodies

  • The Beefarmers Association
  • The Italian Register of Experts in the Sensory Analysis of Honey

International Honey Judging

  • Le Concours Des Miels De France (The French National Honey show)
  • The London Honey Awards

UK & Irish Honey and Bee Products Stewarding

  • The Royal Highland Show
  • The Great Yorkshire Show
  • The National Honey Show
  • The Scottish National Honey Show
  • The Edinburgh and Midlothian Honey Show
  • The Inverness Honey Show
  • Aberdeen and District Honey Show

Voluntary Activities

  • Trustee for Scottish Beekeepers’ Association from 2020 to present
  • SBA Webinar Officer 2022 to present
  • SBA ICT Officer from 2020 to 2022
  • Mentor for beginner and Intermediate beekeepers
  • Greet visitors at the Royal highland Show and National Honey Show