Hi Joe
There are no legal contraints to keeping bees in Scotland, although if you
need to treat your bees for pests and diseases there is legislation to
follow. But if you simply wish to start keeping some bees, just do it!
There is no need, for example, to register colonies. As far as small hobby
beekeepers are concerned, no-one will bother you. If you sell honey, in
Scotland as elsewhere in Europe and probably beyond, you stray into the
realms of food production and then have significant regulations to worry
about.
For hobby beekeepers, the national organisation is worth joining:
http://www.scottishbeekeepers.org.uk/
There are links from that site for local associations.
all the best
Gavin.
-- Visit www.honeybeeworld.com/bee-l for rules, FAQ and other info ---