The role runs for six months from March to September 2026
A new ranger is being recruited to live and work on one of Scotland’s most remote islands, with the successful candidate spending six months on an uninhabited seabird haven off the north west Highlands.
The Scottish Wildlife Trust is advertising the seasonal post on Handa Island, a 760-acre reserve reached by a short passenger ferry from the mainland near Scourie. The role runs for six months from March to September 2026 and comes with a salary of £26,112, free accommodation, and the chance to manage one of Scotland’s most spectacular wildlife sites.
While the job offers dramatic scenery and close contact with nature, it also comes with practical challenges. The ranger will need to make regular trips back to the mainland for essentials, including weekly journeys to Scourie for laundry, food shopping, banking and swapping bottled gas used for cooking and heating. A driving licence and access to a vehicle are essential.
The Trust says the role requires a strong understanding of wildlife alongside excellent people skills, as the ranger will live and work closely with volunteers throughout the season.
Scottish Wildlife Trust reserves area manager Rab Potter told the BBC: “Handa is an isolated location and the people you work with will also be the people you socialise with in the evening, so it needs to be someone that’s comfortable with communal living.”
Handa Island has been uninhabited since the 19th century, allowing wildlife to thrive undisturbed. Each spring, tens of thousands of seabirds arrive to breed on the island’s towering Torridonian sandstone cliffs.
Species include puffins, guillemots, razorbills and great skuas, making the reserve internationally important for seabird conservation.
The island’s rich surrounding waters also attract larger marine life. Whales and basking sharks are often spotted from shore, while minke whales, dolphins, grey seals and even the occasional orca have been recorded in the area.
The ranger’s responsibilities include monitoring wildlife populations, organising and leading a team of volunteers, and helping manage more than 8,000 visitors who arrive during the summer season.
The role is described as physically demanding at times, but highly rewarding for someone who enjoys outdoor work in a remote setting. Accommodation is provided free of charge in a purpose built ranger’s bothy, which is suitable for one individual ranger.
The post is full time at 35 hours per week, with an anticipated start date of March 16, 2026.
According to the job description, the Trust is looking for a highly motivated individual with emotional resilience and flexibility, strong organisational skills and the ability to adapt plans quickly in response to changing conditions.
Experience of seabird monitoring methodology is required, along with sound knowledge of marine and terrestrial natural history.
The ranger will also be expected to supervise and motivate volunteers, carry out or arrange basic maintenance on the island, maintain relationships with stakeholders and produce an annual report covering the season’s activities.
Familiarity with Handa Island is considered an advantage, but is not essential. Applications for the post close at noon on Wednesday January 7, 2026, with interviews scheduled for Friday January 16.
The Scottish Wildlife Trust says it welcomes applicants from all backgrounds and is committed to promoting diversity and equal opportunities across its workforce.
