Gortin is a village in the upper Owenkillew Valley in the western Sperrins, a gateway to the Gortin Glen Forest Park and the wider Sperrin Mountains AONB. The Gortin Glen Forest Park — a mix of planted conifers and regenerating native broadleaf — provides heather, bilberry and cross-leaved heath on the open glades and rides, particularly on the higher exposed ridges. The valley floor carries willow, alder and bankside meadow flowers along the Owenkillew River. Gorse is dense on the south-facing hillsides above the village. The Institute of Northern Ireland Beekeepers serves beekeepers in this part of the Sperrins.
Collectors attend swarms in the heather and bilberry on the Gortin Glen open rides and south-facing slopes, along the Owenkillew riverside willows and alder carrs, in the gorse on the hill above the forest park entrance, in the garden trees and outbuildings of the village properties, and in the stone walls and farm buildings on the upper valley lanes.
Nearest BBKA-affiliated associations to help with swarm collection and local advice.
BT26 6NH· approx. 83 km
CA24 3HZ· approx. 236 km
Visit websiteLL77 7NX· approx. 245 km
Association data sourced from the British Beekeepers Association directory via SwarmBase.
Blackthorn and whitethorn drumlin hedges open the year. Sycamore and hawthorn dominate May. Lime is present in Omagh, Dungannon and Strabane. The Sperrins contribute bell and ling heather in August — a dark, thick crop some Tyrone beekeepers work seriously. Bilberry in the oakwoods adds a June supplement; rosebay willowherb is dense on every disused rail line and stone quarry. Ivy finishes the year on whitewashed cottages.
More on beekeeping in County TyroneReport it in under a minute and a trained local beekeeper will arrange safe collection.
