​May has been such a hectic month, I think I need to lie down in a quiet and peaceful space...
I’ve been so busy because I have launched the UK’s first-ever ‘bee therapy’ experience in conjunction with my good friends at the award-winning boutique hotel, Monachyle Mhor near Balquhidder.

Tom Lewis, chef patron at family-run boutique hotel, Monachyle Mhor: says “We absolutely love the idea of working in harmony with the bees to create this unique experience. The 'apipod' fits with what we already do here, which is to provide our guests with great food, warm hospitality and unforgettable memories.”
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You’ll find a specially designed wooden triangular structure known as an 'apipod' situated in a wooded glade. It contains six beehives housing a total of 60,000 honey bees which have been placed in compartments underneath the pod, so the bees come and go freely through their own special entrance. A metal mesh between the walls and the hives ensures that only sounds and smells infuse the interior, but the bees are contained, so there is no risk of bee stings to visitors.

It really is the most relaxing experience – and it's so good for you. Guests can relax or fall asleep on two sheepskin-covered beds inside the 'apipod' which are directly above the hives.
 
You de-stress listening to the sounds of the bees going about their daily life, surrounded by the aromas of honey, propolis, nectar and pollen. The vibrations caused by bees’ wings also have a positive energising effect which calms and relaxes.
 
The bee therapy launch has created a bit of media interest, I have even made an appearance on BBC Scotland’s The Nine programme. While The Times, The Telegraph, The Star, Scotland on Sunday, as well as online at The Daily Record, Good News Network and The Eco News have all written about it.
Its arrival had already created a buzz, with a top celebrity filming the bees for a BBC TV show which should air in July, which I am very excited about.

I hope to offer Bed & Bees overnight stays, allowing visitors the chance to spend a night in the company of honey bees but just now I'm off for a spot of 'bee therapy' myself to recover.
 
Best wishes
Charlotte

• If you like the sound of this each 45 min session ‘bee therapy’ experience costs £80 single use / £120 for 2 people and includes a guest refreshment hamper: with Fresh lemon balm tea, picked from the kitchen garden, Raw honey on our unique Mena bread  and a Mena snack bar.
• You can order our delicious Mena Bars online in bulk boxes and get them delivered direct to your door. I even have an introductory offer of FREE delivery to the UK only.
• The pod will be open for bookings in June, and the plan is to offer well-being sessions and summer workshops with natural practitioners.

To find out more about bee therapy contact Herb Majesty for initial booking enquiries.

The UK’s first ever ‘bee therapy’ experience is set to open at Perthshire this summer.
A specially designed wooden triangular structure, known as an 'apipod' has been installed at award-winning Monachyle Mhor, a boutique hotel near Balquhidder. 
 
Six beehives housing a total of 60,000 honey bees have been placed in compartments underneath the pod, which is situated in a wooded glade at Monachyle Mhor. The bees come and go freely through their own special entrance.
 
A metal mesh between the walls and the hives ensures only sounds and smells infuse the interior, but the bees are contained, so there is no risk of bee stings to visitors.
 
Sustainable bee-based therapy, known as apitherapy, is a fast-growing trend in Eastern Europe. Crieff-based business woman, Charlotte Blackler, who is introducing it to Scotland, recently visited apitherapy centres in Slovenia, and decided she wanted to bring it home to Scotland.
 
Charlotte, who runs a company called Herb Majesty, selling free-range turkey, pork, lamb and chicken raised and grazed on wild herbal pastures, is convinced the therapy will fly in Scotland. She also founded Mena-pause.com , a food company that makes Mena bread, and a Mena snack bar that harnesses the power of nature to create a healthy and nutritious range of menopause-friendly food.

Charlotte says:
"It really is the most relaxing experience – and it's so good for you. Guests can relax or fall asleep on two sheepskin-covered beds inside the apipod which are situated directly above the hives.
 
You de-stress listening to the sounds of the bees going about their daily life, surrounded by the aromas of honey, propolis, nectar and pollen. The vibrations caused by bees’ wings also have a positive energising effect which calms and relaxes.
 
She explains: Monachyle Mhor is the perfect place to get back in touch with nature.  I work closely with the Lewis family, who own Monachyle Mhor raising milk-fed Mangalica cross pigs in the woodlands here, so we already have a good working relationship. So I knew it would be something which they would love."

Tom Lewis, chef patron says:
“We absolutely love the idea of working in harmony with the bees to create this unique experience. It has been a really tough few years for the hospitality, but we always do things differently at Mhor. The apipod fits with what we already do here, which is to provide our guests with great food, warm hospitality and unforgettable memories. ”
 
Why not spend the day immersed in nature, wild swimming, hiking and relaxing over lunch before being lulled to sleep by the gentle vibration of thousands of tiny wing beats enveloped in the heavenly scent of warm honey from the hives beneath you?
 
Its arrival has already created a buzz, with a top celebrity filming a BBC tv show at Monachlye Mhor which should air on 31st August 8pm BBC 2.

Charlotte's long-term plan hopes to offer Bed & Bees overnight stays, offering visitors the chance to spend a night in the company of honey bees.

A family-run boutique hotel at the foot of stunning loch and mountains in Perthshire owned by the Lewis family.

Award-winning boutique hotel and restaurant has won many accolades but most recently was named The Thistle Regional Award for Best restaurant experience in 2019.

At Monachyle Mhor, the hotel, farm and gardens follow organic principles even though they are not certified. They try teir best to work in harmony with nature. The ApiPod brings the perfect balance, allowing guests to relax and experience the ultimate B&Bee...

     Charlotte Blackler | Herb Majesty

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Cat Thomson talks to Charlotte Blackler from Herb Majesty about her unique way of producing poultry, pigs and sheep, using wild pasture and herbs from her base near Glenalmond in Perthshire.

What a summer for the Bees....
I have been the most hopeless beekeeper for the last ten years with only small amounts of honey produced and nothing spare for the beekeeper. But not this year....warm and dry the bees have gone from strength to strength. The first honey harvest was in June and now we have just taken a second in July, with plenty to spare for the bees. What a wonderful treat! Lets hope it's not another ten years before we see a Scottish summer this fabulous again.