Do You Sell Candles?
Yes, we do - pure beeswax candles.
Beeswax has been used for centuries to create candles that burn cleaner, longer, and with a naturally warm, honeyed scent that no artificial fragrance could ever replicate.
Unlike paraffin or soy-based alternatives, beeswax candles are completely natural, free from synthetic additives, and produce a beautiful golden flame with a steady, even burn.
I personally think there’s something really noble about beeswax candles.
The History of Beeswax Candles
Long before electricity, candles were essential for daily life. But not all candles were created equal. In ancient times, tallow candles, made from rendered animal fat, were the standard. They were cheap, but they smoked, smelled unpleasant, and burned quickly, making them far from ideal.
Beeswax, on the other hand, was a luxury. The Egyptians, Romans, and Greeks all prized beeswax for its clean-burning properties. The Romans are believed to have introduced rolled beeswax candles for religious ceremonies and domestic lighting. By the Middle Ages, beeswax candles were widely used in churches and monasteries, not just because they burned brighter, but because they didn’t release the black, sooty smoke that tallow candles did.
Since beeswax was a costly material, it was mostly reserved for royalty, the clergy, and the wealthy. Ordinary households continued using smoky, smelly tallow candles until the 19th century when paraffin wax - derived from petroleum - became a cheaper alternative. But while paraffin made candles more affordable, it came at a cost: paraffin releases toxins and soot when burned, something that beeswax completely avoids.
Why Are Beeswax Candles Special?
Unlike paraffin or soy-based candles, beeswax candles are completely natural. They don’t contain synthetic fragrances, chemical stabilisers, or petroleum by-products. The result is a pure, clean-burning candle that doesn’t pollute the air in your home.
Another fascinating property of beeswax is that when burned, it releases negative ions, which help purify the air by neutralising dust, allergens, and pollutants. This is one of the reasons why people with asthma or allergies often prefer beeswax candles over synthetic alternatives.
Beeswax candles also burn longer than most other types of candles, thanks to their dense structure. They have a naturally high melting point, which means they produce a brighter, warmer flame and last significantly longer than paraffin or soy candles of the same size.
And then there’s the scent. Pure beeswax candles have a delicate, honeyed aroma, which comes from the nectar and pollen collected by the bees. Unlike artificially scented candles, which rely on synthetic fragrances that can release toxins, beeswax candles emit a subtle, natural fragrance that feels warm and inviting without being overpowering.
Too many candles these days contain toxic fragrance oils which are best avoided.
Interesting Facts About Beeswax and Candle-Making
- It takes around 33 million visits to flowers for bees to produce just one pound of beeswax.
- Bees secrete wax from glands on their abdomens and shape it into the perfect hexagonal honeycomb structure we associate with beehives.
- In medieval Europe, beeswax was so valuable that it was often used as a form of currency or given as a tribute to churches and rulers.
- The oldest beeswax candles ever discovered were found in ancient Egyptian tombs, still intact after thousands of years.
- Unlike other waxes, beeswax does not go rancid, meaning it can last indefinitely if stored properly.
Beeswax candles are more than just a source of light, they are a connection to centuries of tradition, craftsmanship, and nature’s brilliance. They burn longer, cleaner, and brighter than synthetic alternatives, with a natural scent that makes any space feel warm and inviting.
So yes, we sell candles in our shops in Edinburgh, but only the best kind - pure beeswax, made just as nature intended, and as with everything else we make, there’s zero synthetic content.
Definitely my favourite ingredient in our range of natural ingredients.
Thanks for reading.
Tommy
The Founder
