Bee Beds Bloom again in Brechin thanks to SSEN Transmission, Balfour Beatty and Local Partners

A vibrant splash of colour and biodiversity has returned to Brechin as volunteers from SSEN Transmission and Balfour Beatty teamed up once again to plant pollinator-friendly flower beds - known as “bee beds”- to support local wildlife and inspire environmental stewardship.

Now in its second year, the initiative saw 10 volunteers from SSEN Transmission and Balfour Beatty’s East Coast 400kV and Pathway to 2030 projects teams gather in Brechin, alongside biodiversity charity RePollinate, Angus Council, and a lively class of 20 pupils from Maisondieu Primary School.

Together, the group planted over 600 plants at special beds set up at Westwood in Brechin, including a rich mix of native wildflowers and perennial garden plants designed to attract and nourish a wide range of pollinators - from bees and butterflies to hoverflies and birds. The bee beds are part of a wider effort to promote biodiversity and leave a lasting environmental legacy in the region.

A Buzzing Collaboration

The planting event builds on the success of last year’s bee beds in Edzell and Brechin, which were created as part of SSEN Transmission’s East Coast 400kV overhead line upgrade project. This year’s effort continues the partnership with RePollinate, whose “Beds for Bees” initiative helps communities establish nectar-rich habitats to support pollinators facing threats from habitat loss, pesticides, and climate change.

Rob Whytock, Community Liaison Manager at SSEN Transmission, said:

“We’re proud to be back in Brechin for another year of bee bed planting. It’s a fantastic way to engage with the community and promote biodiversity. Seeing the enthusiasm of the pupils from Maisondieu Primary School was a real highlight - they’re the next generation of environmental champions.”

Michelle De Waele, Sustainablity Manager at Balfour Beatty, added:

“Partnering with SSEN Transmission, RePollinate, Angus Council and the pupils of Maisondieu Primary School to create these vibrant bee beds is a brilliant example of how we can work together to promote biodiversity and support local wildlife.”

Nick Trull, Project Manager at RePollinate, commented:

“We are thrilled to work with SSEN Transmission and Balfour Beatty on another great project for pollinators in Brechin this year. This Bee Bed contributes a further 90m2 of value for pollinators in the area. At RePollinate we are driven to bring people closer to pollinators, and so Angus Council’s chosen site for this year’s planting is ideal.

“Straddling Castle Street near the Cathedral, it will help to extend favourable habitat for pollinators in to Brechin from the woodlands and adjacent allotments south. A huge thanks also to the Maisondieu Primary School class that enthusiastically took part in the planting, and to Angus Council for managing the planting day and for their continued support maintaining the Bee Bed.”

Planting for Pollinators

The bee beds feature a diverse selection of plants chosen for their ecological value and seasonal appeal. From lungworts that feed early-emerging bumblebee queens to rudbeckia and hylotelephium that sustain pollinators into autumn, the beds offer year-round support and shelter for wildlife.

This initiative is funded by SSEN Transmission’s East Coast 400kV Overhead Line Upgrade project, which is helping to strengthen Scotland’s transmission network and enable the transition to net zero emissions. 

SSEN Transmission is committed to driving progress toward a net zero and nature-positive future, ensuring that its infrastructure not only powers the nation, but protects the planet, with nature a key consideration as the transmission network expands across the north of Scotland.   Earlier this month it became the first electricity transmission network business in the UK to have its Sustainability Strategy officially accepted by It’s Now For Nature, a global campaign mobilising businesses and financial institutions to take decisive action for a nature-positive world by 2030. 

To learn more about SSEN Transmission’s East Coast 400kV project, visit: https://www.ssen-transmission.co.uk/projects/project-map/east-coast-400kv-ohl-upgrade/

To explore RePollinate’s work, visit: https://www.repollinate.org.uk/

Get started with volunteering  

If you’re a community group or charity in our network area in the north of Scotland, we would love to hear from you. It only takes a couple of minutes to find out more about our volunteering opportunities and register your interest: https://www.ssen-transmission.co.uk/volunteering 

Please note, as our team works on a voluntary basis, it may take us some time to coordinate our people and match them with opportunities. We kindly ask for your patience as we work to keep up with volunteering demand.