The position would be perfect for those with an interest in Scottish history.
A unique job opportunity at a historic castle on the Isle of Skye has come up, with on-site accommodation provided. The position would be perfect for those with an interest in Scottish history, allowing them to live and work at an attraction that dates back hundreds of years.
Dunvegan Castle and Gardens on Skye is currently looking to hire a guide and visitor assistant. The castle, which is a multi-award-winning tourist attraction that welcomes an average of 180,000 visitors per year, is built on an elevated rock overlooking an inlet on the east shore of Loch Dunvegan.
The position is full-time, though part-time applicants will also be considered, and will run from April 1 to October 15. With the attraction operating seven days a week during its open season, the role may include working on weekends and occasional overtime work on evenings to support events..
The castle is located in a scenic position along the coast of Skye, near the charming village of Dunvegan. Meanwhile, the bustling town of Portree that is home to a wide range of restaurants, cafés, shops, and attractions is situated around just 21 miles away.
Among the responsibilities of the position will be welcoming visitors to Dunvegan Castle and Gardens and providing them with accurate and up-to-date information and guidance and participating in guided and private tours of the site. The successful applicant will also be expected to address visitor complaints and issues that arise with visitors.
Additionally, the guide and visitor assistant will be expected to ensure there are sufficient stocks of guidebooks and leaflets, manage visitor flow, and monitor the castle’s access points and report any suspicious activity. They will also be required to undertake cleaning of selected public and staff areas of the castle and ensure the workspace is always kept clean and tidy.
Those applying for the job should have experience in a customer-focused position, a friendly personality, and be a team player with strong communication skills. They must also be able to multi-task and resolve issues under pressure, have the ability to de-escalate and resolve conflict, and have excellent timekeeping and attendance.
Other desirable attributes include an interest in history and conservation, experience working in a cultural or heritage environment, and a foreign language skill if possible. Candidates should possess a valid driving license, while cash handling and till experience is also an advantage.
The job listing on HiJOBS states: “This vital role, as a welcoming face of Dunvegan Castle, requires excellent 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 are a people person who wants to give our visitors a warm Highland welcome, 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.”
The job listing adds: “The ideal candidate will have excellent front of house and communication skills. Training will be provided regarding knowledge of the castle and its historic collection, but a personal interest in Highland history and the region is a plus.”
Dunvegan Castle and Gardens is an important part of Scotland’s heritage, situated at the heart of the 41,000-acre MacLeod Estate. The castle has served as the ancestral home of the Chiefs of Clan MacLeod for 800 years.
Sir Reginald MacLeod was the first Chief to open Dunvegan Castle to the public in 1933 for charitable purposes, two days a week. Since then, the number of visitors has risen from a few hundred to hundreds of thousands every year.
Outside, the castle is sheltered by extensive formal gardens and woodlands. Featuring a Water Garden, a Rose Garden, and a Walled Garden, the grounds are described on the Dunvegan Castle website as “a hidden oasis for an eclectic mix of flowers, exotic plants, specimen trees and shimmering pools fed by waterfalls and streams flowing down to the sea.”
More information about the guide and visitor assistant position can be found on the HiJOBS website.
