A north-east teenager is feeling like the bee’s knees after being named the best young apiarist in the world.
Martin Leahy fended off competitors from 26 other countries to take the crown at an “intense” international meeting in Slovakia.
The 15-year-old, who has just started fifth year at Aboyne Academy, took part in a series of challenges at the 10th annual International Meeting of Young Beekeepers (IMYB).
And after astounding judges with his bee-handling skills and knowledge, he was presented with the top prize.
Martin said: “It was an intense competition where we had to do lots of different tasks and got graded on points.
“I’m still pretty shocked, it was overwhelming.”
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The youngster has had plenty of prior experience with beekeeping.
Martin helps to tend to 10 houses in his back garden in Tarland, and “20-odd” more elsewhere in the area.
The teenager was also picked to represent Scotland at the IMYB last year.
“I went to France for the meeting in 2018 so I knew a bit of what to expect,” Martin said.
“But it was very different – not just with beekeeping but with their culture overall.”
Bron Wright, the previous president of the Scottish Beekeepers’ Association, accompanied Martin and other young Scots to Slovakia for the meeting and praised their dedication to the cause.
She said: “There were 27 countries competing including Israel and Ukraine and, for the first time, teams from Canada and Tasmania in Australia.
“They took part as individuals, countries and mixed international teams and it was a fantastic competition with such a lovely vibe.
“It looked at all sorts of skills to do with beekeeping. Not just handling bees, but cleaning as well as looking at honey and other bee products.
“They have to have a lot of theoretical knowledge as well.”
Mrs Wright added: “It was a great result. Martin has been fantastic and we’re all absolutely delighted.
“For all the Scottish beekeepers who were there it’s a huge achievement.
“The competition is usually won by people from countries in central Europe like Slovakia and Slovenia as they have huge beekeeping industries.
“So it was quite a fierce competition as they’re all very clued-up on this.”
