Job Description – Ardtornish
Title: Experienced Gardener
Reports to: Senior Gardener

Ardtornish is a 12,000ha land holding and rural business on the west coast of Scotland, occupying the south-eastern corner of the spectacular Movern peninsula in the Highland region, with 21 miles of stunning coastline along Lochaline, Loch Linnhe and the Sound of Mull.

Our diverse business includes renewable energy, tourism, woodland and property management, and farming. Established in the 19th century, the estate has a walled kitchen garden which incorporates an orchard, several poly tunnels producing fruit, vegetables and flowers, a prominent 25-acre garden that surrounds the Grade A-listed Victorian mansion house, and numerous holiday-let gardens, along with the wider estate hedges and trees.

Duties and responsibilities

Kitchen Garden

Responsible for productive growing of all the fruit, vegetables, cut flowers and plants in our 1.5 acre walled garden.

To provide a year-round vegetable box scheme to clients visiting our thriving holiday-let enterprise, to the wider local community, and to the estate’s small retail outlet.

Ardtornish Gardens

All aspects of practical horticulture to include: managing trees and shrubs, roses, herbaceous plants and bulbs; turf care; pest, disease and weed control; composting and soil improvement; hard-landscaping; path care, plant propagation; tree care, arboriculture techniques.

Wider Estate

• Assist with the development of our diverse portfolio of cottage gardens
• Assist to deliver an annual grounds maintenance program
• Occasional other duties as and when the business demands

Qualifications and Skills

• A genuine passion for horticulture is essential as is having a flexible approach to work
• Knowledge of growing fruit and vegetables desirable
• Basic general all round garden maintenance – including hedging and lawn/turf care
• Plant identification, propagation and knowledge of pest & diseases desirable but training can be given
• Excellent communication skills ideally in a horticultural context
• Basic knowledge and experience operating a variety of garden machinery including, lawn mowers, strimmer’s and leaf blowers in particular

The successful candidate will ideally hold a suitable formal professional qualification in horticulture and landscape management or equivalent with practical experience in horticultural techniques

Chainsaw certificates desirable

PA1 and PA6 spraying certificates is desirable but not essential

Applicants must hold a full UK driving licence with category E for towing trailers

Working conditions

Based in the West Highlands of Scotland, with much time spent outdoors, year-round in all-weather conditions.

The nearby village of Lochaline is a thriving community and offers fantastic education opportunities for those with young families. In addition to this position, we welcome volunteers throughout the year.

Physical requirements

The role is physically demanding and requires good health and fitness levels.

Ardtornish will offer a competitive salary (subject to experience) and the package will include accommodation and a range of benefits.

For information about the role and please contact John Turner via john@ardtornish.com