The Scottish Bee Company: evolving to embody ‘the essence of a Scottish larder’

In 2017, husband and wife team Suzie Millar, then a chiropractor, and Iain Millar, who worked in financial services, decided they wanted to start a profits-with-purpose business. Seeking an opportunity that was environmentally and socially responsible, they opted to help the declining bee population.

“It seemed to make sense to start with bees and pollination as pollinators are responsible for most of the food we consume,” explains Suzie. The business is dedicated to Scottish produce that is also minimally processed and deeply rooted in sustainability and authenticity, she adds. 

That dedication includes a simple supply line; the business works only with bee farmers in Scotland. They take their honey to Perthshire processor Scarletts at the end of each harvest season, where it is packed before being sent to The Scottish Bee Company warehouse in Haddington, East Lothian.

Spot checks are carried out on the honey to ensure its quality and that it contains no pesticides or genetically modified organisms. Results are published on The Scottish Bee Company website.

“We are passionate about ensuring we produce the highest quality honey and that our customers understand our production process,” says Suzie.

Sustainability concerns have also shaped the packaging used by the business. The honey is packed in glass jars with aluminium lids and recycled paper and card. Bubble bags are fully biodegradable and made from 90% recycled plastic, although the business is looking to switch to paper wrap.

The first product launched by The Scottish Bee Company was a heather honey from bees that have had access to Scotland’s heather moors.

“They take the nectar from the heather and convert it into honey,” says Suzie. “It has a unique flavour and colour, much more of an amber colour than other local honeys.”

Initially securing listings with Scottish cheesemonger IJ Mellis and Perthshire department store House of Bruar, the brand is now carried by farms shops and delis, Sainsbury’s and Ocado, as well as various distributors.

Following the success of the heather product, the honey range has expanded and now includes blossom and signature honeys. The business has since extended into vinegar, salad dressing and drizzles that combine spice with the sweetness of honey.

One of these, Kimchi Hot Honey Drizzle, won a gold award in the 2024 Farm Shop & Deli Product Awards, where Scotch Bonnet Hot Honey Drizzle bagged a silver.

“We knew kimchi brine went to waste when kimchi was made so used the waste product to create the hot honey,” says Suzie, adding that the drizzle is a great match with pizza and cheese.

Another development in the business has been ramping up its work to help the bee population. This started with providing bees to beekeepers across Scotland and has led to the establishment of the Repollinate charity that aims at promoting pollination through education and wildflower projects.

“Each ingredient we use at The Scottish Bee Company is carefully selected and deeply connected to the soil, climate, and environment that create them,” Suzie says. “As we continue to evolve, we are developing our product range to embody the essence of a true Scottish larder.”

That evolution included the acquisition of botanical soft drinks business Nuisance Drinks in October. The drinks were developed by founder Hugo Morrissey to make use of plants traditionally considered a nuisance. The range includes Bramble & Rosemary and Nettle & Elderflower.

Nuisance sits alongside The Scottish Bee Company under a new umbrella business The Natural Larder Collective, which aims to bring together artisanal food and drink brands. It is an initiative Suzie and Iain are keen to develop and grow in the future.

“We will be expanding The Natural Larder Collective and bring new brands with the same ethos as us into the mainstream,” she says. “We are always championing real food, slow food and food that respects the land and looks after people.”