Honey

Each summer Murray McGregor ferries his bees from the Scottish Lowlands to the Highlands where they feast on heather to make honey for just one supermarket - Waitrose.

Murray likens this practice to sending the bees on a 'summer holiday'. By travelling up to 90 minutes away from his home in Coupar Angus, near Perth he's ensuring that they get plentiful access to the freshest, most aromatic heather and its pollen. It's this method that leads to the wonderful distinctive taste and aroma of the Scottish heather honey sold at Waitrose.

As knowledgeable as he is passionate about honey - and the bees that create it - Murray knows exactly where and when the best heather grows at any time of year. He plans the bees' journey according to this knowledge; spending the summer rising as early as 3am to ferry his hives in small batches to around 45 locations on four country estates.

As a child Murray grew accustomed to being around bees after his father started the honey-making business as a hobby in 1950. He is now a world-renowned expert in bees and honey making. He's passionate about the process of making honey and is as equally passionate about eating it, believing that Scottish heather honey is enjoyed by 'people who know about honey', adding that he thinks: 'It's the bees knees and arguably the best honey around.'

Knowing that the taste of heather honey intensifies with age, he recommends saving a new jar for a little time for a stronger taste. However, as it tastes delicious even when eaten straight of the hive's comb, you can still enjoy its wonderful flavour immediately if you can't wait!

Scottish heather honey is just one of the highly individual and premium-priced honeys in the Waitrose Select range. Visit your local branch to see the full range.