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A qualified and experienced Head gardener is sought at a stunning family-run estate in Banffshire on a full time and permanent basis.
The picturesque 700-acre estate is filled with extensive gardens and lawns, as well as meadows and woodland, set in the Deveron Valley. With private residence and holiday cottages on the Estate, the estate offers Fishing in the River Deveron and hosts Clay Pigeon Shooting. The grounds, gardens and walks at the estate include the Walled Garden which are not open to the public, but can be enjoyed by the holiday guests.
This role is an exciting opportunity to manage and work alongside a small and enthusiastic team to continue the development and maintenance of the estate’s stunning grounds and gardens and together with the assistant gardener be responsible for the mature, private 2-acre walled garden. The walled garden features glasshouses, a fruit cage, vegetable beds, cut flower beds, mature fruit trees, herbaceous border, rose garden, mature yew hedging, box hedges, water features, ornamental trees, shrubs and perennial flowers. Current projects which the new Head Gardener will lead include implementing a large potting shed, implementing additional glasshouses for growing from seed and an orangery glasshouse as well as renovations of meadows.
Duties include being hands on and the management of the for the upkeep of the walled garden and glasshouses, growing of organic vegetables and cut flowers from seed to serve the needs of the house and holiday cottages and growing perennial plants and shrubs from seed and by propagation to continue to develop and enhance the gardens. The Head gardener will also lead the team in the maintenance and development of historic rock gardens, meadows and ponds and support with the maintenance and development of holiday cottage gardens on the estate.
Applicants will ideally hold a horticultural qualification and strong horticultural / plant knowledge. A passion and experience or qualification in garden design and permaculture would be advantageous. The successful candidate will work well in a team and have the ability and willingness to support and train student gardeners on summer placements, junior groundskeeper/ gardeners. Attention to detail, good housekeeping and timekeeping are important as well as a high level of maintenance of plants, equipment and tools.
This position would suit an experienced and passionate Head Gardener who can commit to the maintenance and development of the gardens and grounds, who works well as part of a team. A passion for biodiversity, team working and growing vegetables and flowers from seed is essential.
SALARY: Circa £45,000 depending on experience
LOCATION:Banffshire, Scotland
JOB No: EC65926
