Inspired by the title of the forthcoming ninth book in the Outlander Series, our Highland Bee Silver Pin features a traditional honey bee with Highland Knotwork in its wings.

‘Telling the bees’ is an old European custom (which made its way to the United States), in which bees would be told of important events in their keeper's lives, such as births, marriages, or deaths.

The origins of this practice are not really known, but it is thought to be linked to the ancient belief that bees' had the ability to bridge the natural world and the afterlife.

There were many different ways that bees would be told of news. For example, following a death in the household the women of the house would cover the hives with black, whilst softly humming mournful tunes or sayings such as –
"The master's dead, but don't you go; Your mistress will be a good mistress to you."
"Little bee, our lord is dead; Leave me not in my distress.”
One instruction from the Carolina mountains of the United States simply stated -
"You knock on each hive, so, and say, 'Lucy is dead.'"

If a family failed to tell the bees of a death, serious calamity for the household would follow!

Bees were also to be told of happy events, and a 1950s article in the Dundee Courier in Scotland described the practice of inviting bees to the wedding. At these, the hive might be decorated, and a slice of wedding cake left by the hive.

This delightful Pin is crafted entirely of 925 Sterling Silver and are presented in an attractive black  gift box. 
 
It will make an ideal gift, and a lasting memento, for all Outlander fans.

Size (approx) - 54.0mm x 20.0mm​.

Outlander (published in the United Kingdom as Cross Stitch) is the first in a series of eight historical romance novels by Diana Gabaldon.

Published in 1991, it focuses on 20th century nurse Claire Randall, who time travels to 18th century Scotland and finds adventure and romance with the dashing Jamie Fraser.

The books have sold in their millions, and spawned legions of fans. ‘Outlander’ is now a major US television series which was filmed in locations throughout Scotland, but particularly at Doune Castle, near Stirling.

Outlander Season 4 is due to start on 4th November 2018 in the USA and 5th November 2018 in the United Kingdom and is based on the fourth book in the Outlanders Series - The Drums of Autumn by Diana Gabaldon.