Head Gardener required for gardens and grounds on one of the Scottish Highlands most prestigious estates located in Ross-shire near Tain.

This is a challenging and stimulating position for an experienced and knowledgeable horticulturalist with good communication and man management skills.

The head gardener must share the owners’ passion and enthusiasm for exceptional gardens and have an eye for improvements in presentation, plantsmanship and interpretation, as well as being able to deal with several ongoing projects at once.

The successful candidate should have a flexible outlook, an enthusiastic and energetic approach to their work and be capable of carrying out their duties to an exacting standard.

The head gardeners duties will include:-

· the maintenance and development of approximately 6 acres of formal gardens
· the development and re-establishment of a 3 acre walled kitchen garden together with glass house, poly-tunnels and fruit cages
· the maintenance of approximately 50 acres of grounds attached to the main residence
· the upkeep and maintenance of gardens belonging to five star holiday rental properties
· the maintenance of grounds at a near-by visitor attraction

The successful candidate will have an HND (or equivalent qualification) in horticulture and a proven track record of managing a garden, together with a sound knowledge of plant husbandry.

The ideal candidate should have a minimum of five years experience working in a horticultural environment and be in possession of all the necessary technical proficiency certificates (ie. spraying, chainsaw etc.) necessary for a position of this nature.

The head gardener will be responsible for all gardening projects and the organisation of daily duties. They will report directly to the estate factor and owners of the estate.

It should be noted that no accommodation is offered with this position.

Salary in the region of £20K to £25K plus contributory company pension scheme.