Lockerbie is a market town in Annandale, the central town of the eastern Dumfries and Galloway lowlands and a traditional agricultural market centre for the Solway plain. The productive Annan valley farmland surrounding the town carries oilseed rape on the lower field systems from late April; hawthorn hedgerows are thick on the old field boundaries; sycamore and lime line the older streets. The Dryfe Water south of the town carries willows and alder; the Solway plain to the south-east is productive pasture with bramble-thick field margins. The Eskrigg Nature Reserve, a small ash woodland managed by the town community, adds a local wildflower and hawthorn dimension.
Collectors attend swarms in the Eskrigg Nature Reserve ash woodland and hawthorn margins, in the oilseed rape field-boundary hedgerows on the Annan valley roads north and south, along the Dryfe Water willows south of the town, and in the stone garden walls and eaves of the older residential streets near the town centre.
Nearest BBKA-affiliated associations to help with swarm collection and local advice.
CA6 4HN· approx. 31 km
Visit websiteCA13 0AU· approx. 51 km
CA12 4NT· approx. 59 km
Association data sourced from the British Beekeepers Association directory via SwarmBase.
The mild Solway climate means spring starts earlier than most of Scotland. Blackthorn and hawthorn open the year; sycamore is important. Oilseed rape is moderate. Lime carries June in Dumfries and Stranraer. Galloway Forest contributes bilberry, rowan and late ling heather; coastal sea-campion on the Solway adds character. Himalayan balsam along the Nith gives a long late flow, and ivy on whitewashed cottage walls closes the year.
More on beekeeping in Dumfries and GallowayReport it in under a minute and a trained local beekeeper will arrange safe collection.
