A branding designer and former DJ-turned-beekeeper is creating a buzz with the launch of a small-batch honey business in the northeast Highlands.

Dan Price is set to unveil Fableman’s Highland Honey this spring, with the first batch expected to be ready by the end of summer. Based on a three-acre croft in Caithness, he has planted an orchard and pollinator-friendly plants to create the ideal environment for his bees to thrive.

After spending 15 years working behind a desk, Dan wanted a career more connected to nature. His passion for beekeeping sparked after moving to the Highlands in 2023, leading him to study bee health, hive management, and honey production. He has also attended crofting business and management mentorship days to develop his skills.

To help bring his vision to life, Dan secured a £10,000 loan from BizBritain through the British Business Bank’s Start Up Loans programme. The funding allowed him to purchase five beehives and hive stands, a honey extractor, product packaging, custom workwear, and branded marketing materials for food and craft fairs.

Fableman’s Highland Honey will be available to buy on the company’s website, at local craft fairs, and in selected independent shops, with plans to expand into hotels and the hospitality sector.

Produced in small batches using traditional methods, the honey will be single-origin and completely additive-free, ensuring customers know exactly where it comes from.

Drawing on his creative background, Dan has brought a unique twist to the business through Bear Fableman, an eccentric, fictional character who serves as the brand’s storyteller. Bear offers a whimsical take on life at the Croft, through social media, and the website, adding personality and charm to the brand.

Looking ahead, Dan hopes to expand the apiary to 50 hives, earn a Great Taste Award, and establish Fableman’s Highland Honey as a trusted name in the industry.

Dan said: “I’ve always wanted to own land and work on it, but I didn’t know what form that would take until we moved here. Beekeeping felt like the perfect fit – not only does it make sense for the land we have, but it also helps the environment as we look to improve and support the local ecosystem.

There is something satisfying about the idea that I’ll be working alongside thousands of bees to create our products. My main focus this year will be to help the colonies establish and ensure they have everything they need to thrive. All being well, we should have our first harvest this summer!”

He added: “There’s been a lot in the news recently about ‘fake honey’, with many products being difficult to trace or containing additives. All of our honey will be single-origin, produced right here on our croft in the Scottish Highlands.

The beauty of raw honey is that every jar tells the story of the land it comes from, with unique flavours shaped by the local wildflowers and heather. It’s getting increasingly difficult to find this on the supermarket shelves. I want to create a brand that people trust, ensuring transparency about exactly where their honey comes from. This isn’t just about making a living – it’s about building something sustainable, transparent, and rooted in nature.”

Since its inception in 2012, the Start Up Loans programme has provided more than £1.7 million to 163 start ups in the Highlands, helping entrepreneurs like Dan turn their ideas into reality.

Barry McCulloch, Senior Manager, UK Network, Scotland at the British Business Bank, said: “Dan’s move from branding and music to beekeeping is a fantastic example of how the Start Up Loans programme empowers entrepreneurs to embrace new challenges.

He has taken his career in a completely new direction, upskilled, and built a business with sustainability and quality at its core. His commitment to creating a trusted brand, particularly in an industry where transparency is so important, is inspiring. I look forward to seeing Fableman’s Highland Honey flourish in the years ahead.”

Credits by Asian Connect & Business Connect