This marvellous, rich-tasting honey comes from a joint venture by Tay Bees and Honey and Royal Deeside Honey and Bees. Gavin and Sarah share a group of hives in Glen Tanar near Ballater in Royal Deeside where, in late summer, the bees bring in both the bell heather honey and some regular orange ling honey in the mix.
Bell heather has deep purple, larger flowers compared to the lilac ling heather and flowers earlier, through July but continuing on until autumn at some sites. Conditions have to be right for this honey so we take hives to the heather early and risk the lack of a decent bell heather crop more years than not. Ling heather opens in late July or August and in most years we will get a honey crop at some point in its season, unless the ground is too dry or the weather too windy, wet or cold.
We enjoy it spread on warm toast or on top of hot porridge. Its strong flavour is likely to dominate anything you mix it with. How would you describe the amazing flavour? Glorious! It is strong and tangy with perhaps hints of peat. Best sit down before you try it ….
