The Royal Lyceum Theatre Edinburgh is delighted to welcome 70,000 new permanent residents to the theatre; two hives of bees, now housed on the theatre’s rooftop. Having arrived in June, the bees are part of the theatre’s comprehensive green initiative, and public are invited to adopt a bee or sponsor a whole hive, with all funds raised going towards making The Lyceum more environmentally sustainable.

Within the next five years, The Lyceum aims to replace the diesel-ran company vehicle with an electric one, install LED lights throughout the Front of House areas, and replace the theatre’s ageing boiler system in favour of a more efficient system that will significantly reduce carbon impact, with all bee donations going exclusively towards these goals. Green initiatives such as these will help lessen the theatre’s impact on the environment, allowing existing limited financial resources to be directed towards artistic programming and vital outreach work in the community and with young people.

Ben Twist, Director of Creative Carbon Scotland, said: “We are thrilled that The Lyceum, a leading member of the Green Arts Initiative, is taking this wonderful step. This is exactly the kind of inventive and engaging project that we have learned to expect from Scotland’s cultural organisations. Environmental sustainability projects often seem difficult to pay for, and The Lyceum’s creative thinking shows how it can be done. I believe that The Lyceum will soon be just the first of many arts organisations in the country to fundraise specifically to improve their environmental sustainability.”

Brian Pool

Looking after the theatre’s beloved bees is Scottish-Honey’s Brian Pool, a third-generation professional beekeeper with 40 years of experience.

Speaking of The Lyceum’s new residents, Brian said: “The Lyceum’s roof is now home to 70,000 bees who have settled in very nicely – you wouldn’t even know they were there. With access to Princes Street Gardens and the Meadows to collect nectar and pollen, we’re looking forward to collecting some delicious Lyceum Honey.

The Lyceum is the first theatre I’ve worked with and joins other Edinburgh institutions like The Balmoral, St Andrew’s House, and Royal Botanic Gardens to host my beehives.”

Individual bees can be adopted for £1, and Dine, Edinburgh’s contemporary brasserie located near the theatre, are the first to sponsor a hive for £500. As thanks, The Lyceum hopes to provide honey harvested from the roof, for use in the restaurant.