Traditionally skeps are made from local basket materials, most frequently rye or wheat straw bound with blackberry runner or cane. Although they are weatherproof when they are to be kept for more than a season they are usually housed in a shelter or in a bee 'bole'. Bole is an old Scots word to describe a recess in a wall, and there are many other local words to describe these places.

Our own skeps are made at Blackhorse using traditional lip work, and housed in the shelter shown. The roof, made from locally crafted clay tiles, also houses some nesting boxes in the apex. Three sides of the shelter are normally filled with woven willow panels to protect the hives from the worst weather.

Skeps require quite specialised management as they were not designed with disease control or swarm prevention in mind, and are totally unsuitable for most beekeepers.