Lead Gardener

Are you an experienced gardener and enthusiastic self-starter with a passion for sustainable, organic, and pesticide-free produce? Are you also skilled in contributing to an estate-wide initiative for delivering high-quality, sustainable produce sold directly to a local market?

Kingairloch Coastal Highland Estate, spanning 14,000 acres on the northeast corner of the Morvern peninsula, welcomes an individual eager to immerse themselves in delivering something great and becoming a core part of delivering on our ethical vision of quality and sustainable produce. Our estate boasts an extensive array of elements including green energy production, self-catering properties, environmental projects, extensive hill grounds with deer stalking, a restaurant, a productive walled garden, a tenanted working livestock farm with a small in-house herd of Highland cattle, and more.

As Lead Gardener at Kingairloch Estate, you will be responsible for managing the day to day running of all aspects of the walled garden to include:

• Day to day care and maintenance of herbaceous borders, box hedging, grass, cut flower patch, vegetable garden, fruit trees, fruit cages, rose borders and poly tunnel
• Planning, growing, maintenance and harvesting of produce from the garden
• Washing and packing of produce from the garden for the main house, guest veg boxes or the boathouse restaurant
• Inputting on and working to improve the wider estate policies alongside the existing estate team
• To act as a point of contact for visitors to the estate and the garden in particular, representing Kingairloch Estate in a friendly and professional manner
• To care for the soil using organic and sustainable farming practices
• To provide knowledge, input and advice relating to all aspects of the garden
• Responsibility for an agreed annual programme of maintenance work in order to maintain the garden to the agreed standard
• Responsibility for maintaining accurate records and accounts as required
• Adhering to all estate policies and procedures
• Any other duties as agreed with your line manager

In return the estate will offer you an attractive package including accommodation, if required in this wonderful location, or allowances if travelling to site. Additional support will be available from the in-house estate team as and when required for larger projects or developments. Being situated in a remote area, a driving license is necessary, and applicants are expected to possess a certain level of independence and resilience.

The estate and its surroundings offer stunning beauty, the peninsula itself is often hailed as “the best-kept secret in Scotland.” Kingairloch is a haven for diverse wildlife, birds, and flora throughout the year, situated on Loch a’ Choire, providing opportunities for wild swimming, kayaking, and canoeing. Additionally, outdoor pursuits such as walking, and mountain biking are easily accessible.

Express your interest and embark on a unique adventure by sending your CV and covering letter outlining your suitability for the role to: [email protected]