Hi I'm
Lorraine Johnston

I began my job as SRUC Bee Advisor in April 2022.  I was a secondary school teacher for 30 years of Religious, Moral & Philosophical Studies, Psychology, Social Subjects and National 5 Beekeeping. I have a BA hons in Religious Studies and a Post Graduate Certificate in Secondary Education. I was inspired to get into beekeeping by my grandfather who kept bees and my golden Labrador who led me to cancel a holiday and go on a beekeeping course. I have been keeping bees since 2014 and now share responsibility for around 50 hives in the southwest of Scotland.

I am a member of the Scottish Beekeepers Association and am qualified to Intermediate level, I am aiming to become a Scottish Bee Expert. I am also the Chair of the South of Scotland Beekeepers Association and on the SBA young beekeepers working group.

My job involves targeted and strategic education for hobby beekeepers, bee farmers and the general public. My focus is on honeybees as they are classed as livestock. I will be providing education on varroa which is a mite that sucks on the bees fat bodies. I am available to give talks on honeybees, pests and diseases, biosecurity, starting out with bees, honey and hive products, pollination and more. I am based at the Barony Campus. In the bee season (May to September) I am out in the field mentoring the bee inspectors all around Scotland who inspect for notifiable brood diseases. My job also involves preparing and presenting at events such as the Highland Show and the Scottish Beekeepers Convention. In my spare time run a school bee club. My aims are to improve standards and promote best practice in beekeeping. I am also a registered member of beebase which has lots of free advice for beekeepers.