Time to start this one off!

[Stromnessbees]

I am used to calling them KTBs (Kenyan Top-Bar Hives) from working with Bees Abroad in Ghana (http://www.beesabroad.org.uk). I decided that I should really gain experience with this type of hive here in Orkney, too, and have built one last summer. Unfortunately the swarm it was intended for had vanished by the time I tried to collect it and it's still without occupants. I will use it as a bait hive in the coming season and I assume it might come handy if I ever have to transfer an already established swarm on wild comb.

Another hive type I am tempted to try is the Warree, but with our shortage of bees here I can't afford too many experiments yet.

Anybody else with experience of alternative hives?

Doris