We've finally turned a corner in Highland. Taking a few capped frames off the hives now and all are busy and happy. Not for want of serious worry and intervention
. Two months ago it looked like it was all over, drone laying or missing queens, hungry bees, etc. Only 1 nuc is still struggling and they got a new BS buckfast queen today, so should have time to build up for winter.
They are much hardier than I would have guessed. For as much work going on in the honey supers these last few weeks, they have obviously been flying in the rain and gale force winds, because we have had nothing but, for months.