JOBS

Dunvegan Castle & Gardens is one of the most dynamic, diverse and popular award-winning 5* visitor attractions on the Isle of Skye.

We are always on the lookout for enthusiastic customer focused people to join our team and ensure that our visitors receive our trademark warm Highland Welcome. You will be a team player, enjoy working in a busy environment and take pride in maintaining the high standards of customer service at all times. We offer excellent rates of pay and a generous employee benefit package, in-house training and the chance to work with a great team in the wonderful historic surroundings of Dunvegan Castle & Gardens. And there is no obligation to have facial hair or dress like our estate staff pictured here outside the castle front door in 1893.

If you do not have permission to live and work in the UK, obtaining a UK work visa is your responsibility. We are currently unable to sponsor international staff. Please check this UK government weblink for more information: https://www.gov.uk/browse/visas-immigration/work-visas

For more information about joining our team, please contact the MacLeod Estate office: [email protected]

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Latest Vacancies

Please scroll down and click on the + menu tab headings below to open and explore our current vacancies.

Seasonal Vacancies

Dunvegan Castle & Gardens is one of the most dynamic, diverse and popular multi award-winning 5* visitor attractions on the Isle of Skye. We are looking for enthusiastic and customer focused people to join our existing team and ensure that our 180,000 plus visitors receive our trademark warm Highland Welcome for our 2024 season which runs from 29 March to 15 October with variable start and end dates. You will be a team player, enjoy working in a busy environment and take pride in maintaining high standards of customer service at all times. We offer excellent rates of pay, a generous staff benefit package, in-house training, accommodation, and the chance to work with a great team in historic surroundings.

Dunvegan Castle Guides

These vital roles, as the welcoming face of Dunvegan Castle, require excellent soft communication skills, an interest in Highland history, and people who will actively engage with the high numbers of visitors we receive each season. If you love people, this role is for you. You will be an ambassador for not only Dunvegan Castle and its historic collection, but also promoting other parts of the estate to our visitors. Training will be provided. The job description can be downloaded here.

Senior Guide, Dunvegan Castle

As an ambassador extending Dunvegan Castle & Gardens warm Highland Welcome to our visitors, this junior management role requires some previous management experience working in a busy customer-focused environment. The varied role involves leading castle guided and private VIP tours, filling last minute gaps in the staff rota, queue busting at the Ticket Office, assisting the Custodian, work colleagues and other departments to ensure the castle visitor operations run smoothy. With excellent communication skills and the ability to meet the demanding expectations of our visitors, you will remain calm under pressure and keep smiling in the face of high visitor volumes during the peak season. Cash-handling and touchscreen till operations skills are required for which training will be provided. The job description can be downloaded here.

Seal Boat Crew (27 March – 1 October)

We are looking for marine operatives to join our existing team at one of our most popular and busy visitor attractions at Dunvegan Castle & Gardens. With responsibility for helming one of three traditional clinker-built boats with up to 7 passengers on short trips to see the Loch Dunvegan common seal colony, the ideal candidate will have the required Level II Powerboat licence with commercial endorsements: VHF radio, Sea Survival and First Aid (or acceptable equivalents). Training will be provided. The job description can be downloaded here.

Seasonal Gardener and Grounds person (15 March – 15 October)

We are looking for a part-time seasonal gardener and grounds person to join this award-winning garden of national importance. These part-time roles require some previous experience in horticulture along with acres of common sense, a can-do attitude and practical approach. You must have a desire to learn and/or ability to operate a wide range of garden plant and machinery, and be prepared to undertake physically demanding tasks in all weathers. The job description can be downloaded here.

Visitor Facilities Cleaners 

We are looking for a self-motivated, practical, conscientious, and hard-working individual(s) with the ability to handle multiple tasks and allocate their time efficiently. The ideal candidate will have previous experience in a similar role with a knowledge of best cleaning practice, hygiene, and Health & Safety procedures. As we operate 7 days per week during our open season, this role will suit someone interested in working flexible hours, which may include some evenings and/or weekends. In addition, situations may arise that require you to perform other duties or tasks as may be reasonably requested by your line manager. We offer accommodation if required, along with very competitive rates of pay for this key role in our team. The job description can be downloaded here.

Glenbrittle Campsite Wardens (23 March – 15 October)

Voted No.1 UK Campsite by the Daily Telegraph and winner of the ‘Gold Campsite of the Year 2019′ in the Great Outdoors Magazine, we are looking for dedicated, enthusiastic and hardworking seasonal Campsite Wardens with a genuine sense of pride in their work and a varied skillset this season. You must have some experience in customer service including retail, cash handling and café work in addition to experience of general site upkeep and maintenance. Training and accommodation will be provided to successful applicants. You will require your own transport for this post due to the site’s remote location at the foot of the Cuillin mountains. Onsite training will begin in mid-March. We offer competitive rates of pay, in-house training, free shared accommodation plus the chance to work with a great team in wonderful surroundings. The job description can be downloaded here.

Cuillin Coffee Co. Café Baristas (23 March – 15 October)

We are looking for enthusiastic baristas with previous experience of working in a busy café environment preparing a range of espresso-based drinks to join us in our beach-side cafe.

Practical barista experience and latte art skills would be beneficial. You will have the opportunity to grow the brand locally at our iconic island location while working with our own seasonal blend and quality equipment. You will be key to the commercial success and development of these ventures. Food handling and preparation is a requirement of the role and as such a food hygiene certificate would be beneficial. You must be willing to work weekends and be flexible in your hours. A full UK driving licence and your own vehicle are essential for the role. You will be a friendly, confident, self-motivated and trustworthy individual who is passionate about quality coffee whilst looking to enjoy a season developing your skills on the beautiful Isle of Skye. The job description can be downloaded here.

The closing date for these vacancies is the 22 March 2024 with variable start dates depending on the department. Due to the high numbers of applications that we receive, we regret that only those applicants short-listed for interview will be contacted. To apply for these roles, please email your CV and a covering letter stating why you fit the job criteria to [email protected]

Housekeeper & Cleaner(s)

Dunvegan Castle & Gardens is an iconic part of Scotland’s heritage at the heart of the 41,000- acre MacLeod Estate on the Isle of Skye. As the ancestral home of the Chiefs of Clan MacLeod for 800 years, Dunvegan is a multi-award-winning 5* heritage attraction, acting as a magnet for over 180,000 visitors per year. As one of the most popular visitor attractions on the island, we operate with a diverse and friendly team who share our passion to preserve, develop and share this unique part of Highland history with our visitors.

This full-time and/or part-time role is key to preserving the rich heritage legacy of the Dunvegan Castle and ensuring that we maintain our 5* visitor experience. We are looking for a highly motivated couple and/or individuals to join the team and clean the castle and estate properties (year-round) and our seasonal visitor facilities to a 5* standard (1 April – 15 October). You will ensure that all public areas of the castle and the associated visitor facilities are kept clean and well-presented. Working as part of a team delivering exceptional service to our visitors and the family when they are in residence, the ideal candidate will be an honest, self-motivated, and practical individual with previous experience in a similar role, capable of adapting to the requirements of conservation cleaning and managing their time effectively.

As we operate 7 days per week during our open season, this role will suit a couple/individual(s) interested in working flexible hours which may include some evenings and/or weekends during the season. In addition, situations may arise that require you to perform other duties or tasks as may be reasonably requested by your line manager.

The closing date for applications is 31 May 2024. We offer a competitive salary and staff benefit package commensurate with this role, and onsite accommodation if required. Please include current salary details (basic plus any benefits) and your salary expectations of the role when applying. The job description can be downloaded here.

If this sounds like you, please email your CV and a covering letter explaining why the role interests you, and how your experience and qualifications match the criteria to [email protected]

Estate Foreman

Dunvegan Castle & Gardens is an iconic part of Scotland’s heritage at the heart of the 41,000-acre MacLeod Estate on the Isle of Skye. As the ancestral home of the Chiefs of Clan MacLeod for 800 years, Dunvegan is a multi-award-winning 5* heritage attraction, acting as a magnet for over 180,000 visitors per year.

This is a unique opportunity to helm a busy department that maintains a diverse range of buildings on the MacLeod Estate, ranging from the Grade A Listed Dunvegan Castle to our holiday cottages and heritage property portfolio.

You will possess qualifications and experience in a recognised building trade and be capable of leading a committed team with a diverse range of backgrounds and experience. Always calm under pressure, we expect you to be a self-motivated problem solver with a range of handyman skills, and to deliver results with energy complemented by a sense of humour. Ideally possessing some experience of working within the heritage or construction sectors, you will be able to forward plan and complete the numerous maintenance tasks and larger winter projects on time by providing the estate with a friendly, efficient and pro-active maintenance service.

The closing date for applications is 31 March 2024. We offer a competitive salary and staff benefit package commensurate with this role. Please include current salary details (basic plus any benefits) and your salary expectations of the role when applying. The job description can be downloaded here.

If this sounds like you, please email your CV and a covering letter explaining why the appointment interests you and how your experience and qualifications match the role profile to [email protected]

Castle Custodian

Dunvegan Castle & Gardens is an iconic part of Scotland’s built and natural heritage on the Isle of Skye. As the ancestral home of the Chiefs of Clan MacLeod for 800 years, Dunvegan is an award-winning 5* heritage attraction and key driver of economic growth in the region, acting as a magnet for over 180,000 visitors per year.

We are looking for a highly motivated Castle Custodian with a passion for Highland history to help bring that history to life for our visitors. Responsible for recruiting, training and line managing the castle guides, ticket office and visitor facility cleaning teams, you will need to demonstrate drive and common sense combined with some experience of working within the heritage sector and knowledge of Scottish and Highland history.

Responsible for the conservation, interpretation, and presentation of Dunvegan Castle’s extensive historic collection with a mission to maintain its 5* visitor experience, you will need to be no stranger to a toolbox and take a hands-on approach to general maintenance, housekeeping and security. Your excellent communication skills together with your experience in a customer-facing role will enable you to manage guided tours, events, functions, media, and general public enquiries.

The closing date for applications is 31 March 2024. We offer accomodation, a competitive salary and staff benefit package commensurate with this role. Please include current salary details (basic plus any benefits) and your salary expectations of the role when applying. The job description can be downloaded here.

If this sounds like you, please email your CV and a covering letter explaining why the role interests you, and how your experience and qualifications match the criteria to [email protected]

Retail Manager

Dunvegan Castle & Gardens is an iconic part of Scotland’s built heritage on the Isle of Skye. As the ancestral home of the Chiefs of Clan MacLeod for 800 years, Dunvegan is an award-winning 5* heritage attraction and key driver of economic growth in the region, acting as a magnet for over 180,000 visitors per year.

This full-time and/or part-time role requires someone with a can-do and common-sense attitude to manage a busy retail department that comprises four retail outlets across the MacLeod Estate, and our e-Shop. You will be a self-motivated team player with retail buying and management experience, combined with the ability to handle multiple tasks and problem solve under pressure. With a passion for retail, you will take a ‘hands on’ approach to this vital role and enjoy working as part of the estate team.

The closing date for applications is 31 March 2024. We offer a competitive salary and staff benefit package commensurate with this role. Please include current salary details (basic plus any benefits) and your salary expectations of the role when applying. The job description can be downloaded here.

If this sounds like you, please email your CV and a covering letter explaining why the role interests you, and how your experience and qualifications match the criteria to [email protected]

Groundsperson

Dunvegan Castle & Gardens is an iconic part of Scotland’s heritage at the heart of the 41,000-acre MacLeod Estate on the Isle of Skye. As the ancestral home of the Chiefs of Clan MacLeod for 800 years, Dunvegan is a multi-award-winning 5* heritage attraction, acting as a magnet for over 180,000 visitors per year.

This full-time and/or part-time role requires someone with a can-do and common-sense attitude, together with experience in all aspects of garden maintenance and hard landscaping work, to join the existing team and assist the Head Gardener with the upkeep of this award-winning garden of national importance which won the RHS Partner Garden Scotland in 2022.

With an ability to operate and maintain a wide range of garden plant and machinery, this will be underpinned by the desire to undertake physically demanding manual tasks in all weathers using your own initiative. There are no line management responsibilities associated with this post. The Garden dept. has a Head Gardener and Assistant Head Gardener who you shall report to.

The closing date for applications is 31 March 2024. We offer a competitive salary and staff benefit package commensurate with this role. Please include current salary details (basic plus any benefits) and your salary expectations of the role when applying. The job description can be downloaded here.

If this sounds like you, please email your CV and a covering letter explaining why the appointment interests you and how your experience and qualifications match the role profile to [email protected]

Gardener

Dunvegan Castle & Gardens is an iconic part of Scotland’s heritage at the heart of the 41,000-acre MacLeod Estate on the Isle of Skye. As the ancestral home of the Chiefs of Clan MacLeod for 800 years, Dunvegan is a multi-award-winning 5* heritage attraction, acting as a magnet for over 180,000 visitors per year.

This full-time and/or part-time role requires an experienced gardener with common sense and a practical approach in all aspects of horticulture to join the existing team and assist the Head Gardener with the development of this award winning garden of national importance which won the RHS Partner Garden Scotland in 2022.

A sound knowledge of plants is required, along with the ability to operate a wide range of garden plant and machinery and the desire to undertake physically demanding manual tasks in all weathers using their own initiative and working as part of a team.

The closing date for applications is 31 March 2024. We offer a competitive salary and staff benefit package commensurate with this role. Please include current salary details (basic plus any benefits) and your salary expectations of the role when applying. The job description can be downloaded here.

If this sounds like you, please email your CV and a covering letter explaining why the appointment interests you and how your experience and qualifications match the role profile to [email protected]

Maintenance & Marine Operative

Dunvegan Castle & Gardens is an iconic part of Scotland’s heritage at the heart of the 41,000-acre MacLeod Estate on the Isle of Skye. As the ancestral home of the Chiefs of Clan MacLeod for 800 years, Dunvegan is a multi-award-winning 5* heritage attraction, acting as a magnet for over 180,000 visitors per year.

This full-time and/or part-time role is a unique opportunity consisting of two parts: the first to provide dedicated building maintenance and repair services across the MacLeod Estate during the closed season; the second to helm one of our traditional clinker boats taking our visitors to see the local seal colony during our open season.

In terms of the maintenance element, you will join a busy department that maintains a diverse range of buildings on the MacLeod Estate, ranging from the Grade A Listed Dunvegan Castle, to our holiday cottages and heritage property portfolio. As such, you will possess qualifications and experience in a recognised building trade, and be a self-motivated problem solver with a range of handyman skills. Always calm under pressure, you will deliver results with energy and common sense. Ideally with some prior experience of working within the heritage or construction sectors, you will forward plan to complete the numerous maintenance tasks as directed by the Estate Foreman and/or using your own initiative.

During the open season (1 April – 30 September) you will helm one of our traditional clinker boats taking our visitors to see the local seal colony. As an ambassador for the estate, you will ensure that our visitors receive a warm Highland welcome, and have a 5* unforgettable experience on our award-winning seal trips. You will hold a Boat Master Grade 3 or Powerboat Level 2 with commercial endorsement for sailing with passengers. Training will be provided.

The closing date for applications is 31 March 2024. We offer a competitive salary and staff benefit package commensurate with this role. Please include current salary details (basic plus any benefits) and your salary expectations of the role when applying. The job description can be downloaded here.

If this sounds like you, please email your CV and a covering letter explaining why the appointment interests you and how your experience and qualifications match the role profile to [email protected]

Due to the high volume of applications we receive, we regret that only those applicants short-listed for interview will be contacted.