SRUC students create a buzz with new beehive project
Agriculture students are helping to expand biodiversity and hands-on learning opportunities through the introduction of beehives.
The initiative has been supported by Boskalis, which has funded five full hives and five bee colonies at Rob’s Garden, a “living laboratory” at SRUC’s Aberdeen Campus.
The HNC students have been building beehives as part of their practical learning sessions. The project forms part of wider efforts to enhance Rob’s Garden as a space for environmental education, sustainability research, and biodiversity support.
Rob’s garden is designed to help students learn more about crop agronomy and how they can sequester carbon, support biodiversity and provide renewable energy.
Created by SRUC’s School of Natural and Social Sciences, the garden was established in memory of former colleague Rob Fuchs. The space continues to provide students with opportunities for practical learning, environmental experimentation, and community engagement.
Teaching Associate Sam Keir, who has led the project, said: “Introducing beehives into Rob’s Garden is an exciting development for our students and the wider campus community. Pollinators play a vital role in sustainable agriculture and biodiversity, and this project gives students valuable hands-on experience while supporting the local environment.”
The addition of the bee hives is expected to further strengthen the education and ecological value of Rob’s Garden, creating new opportunities for students to study pollination, habitat management and sustainable farming practices.
The project also supports the ambitions of the Scottish Government’s Bee Health Improvement Partnership, which works to safeguard Scotland’s honey bee population through improved education, biosecurity, disease surveillance and collaboration across the sector.
The initiative also aligns with SRUC’s wider strategic commitment to sustainability, climate resilience, biodiversity enhancement and delivering industry-focused, hands-on learning experiences that prepare students to address real-world environmental challenges.
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Posted by SRUC on 30/06/2026
