Lochnell Castle and Estate is a historical property in Argyll extending to approximately 1200 acres situated 10 miles North of the port town of Oban on the West Coast of Scotland. An opportunity has arisen to join the Estate team at a time of accelerating change in our countryside with a vacancy for an Estate Foreman/Boat Yard Assistant.

Lochnell continues to diversify from traditional estate income streams which now include a commercial boat storage yard business, wedding and events held in the Castle Chapel and the new and exciting holiday property venture The Croft Collective  which compliments the rental income derived from part of the Tralee Holiday Business

Vacancy: Estate Foreman and Boat Yard Assistant

We are looking for an energetic person who has a learning disposition and who is keen to have a wide-ranging role that can change and adapt over time to the needs of the Estate.  

The ideal candidate would be someone with a passion for the outdoors and the natural environment in which we live combined with a practical skill set to manage the day to day needs of the Estate.

We are looking for someone who is predisposed to country life and is ideally interested in country sports and sustainable land management. We plan to restart a game bird shoot and would welcome the foreman to support these efforts but not be responsible for them.

Job Description

General Maintenance of Estate property

There will be a requirement to undertake some regular checks and maintenance on properties where possible including but not limited to:

• Checking roofs of all estate properties.

• Clearing gutters and downpipes of all estate properties.

• External painting of all estate properties.

• Checking water supplies (castle and croft collective), monitor summer water levels.

• Checking castle heat pump

• Checking castle alarms

• Checking castle lift is in working order

• Checking Lady Margaret’s Tower on a weekly basis

• Providing meter readings as and when required for all properties on the estate.

• Clear out and clean all fires and stoves and relay so ready.

• Maintaining ample stock of fire wood for the Castle, Croft Collective and Old Dairy.

Boat Yard Jobs

• Assisting with hauling out and launching boats as and when required.

• General maintenance (winterising, spring services etc.)

• General yard work (hoist, lifting/sitting/launching boats)

• Maintenance of tools and equipment

• Boat deliveries (by water (day skipper) and by road (trailer licence)

• Painting

• Varnishing

• Polishing

Wider Estate Jobs

• Maintenance to roads and tracks

• Clearing branches and growth from roads and tracks.

• Assisting when required in the garden and at the Croft Collective

• Check fencing and maintain where required

• Basic joinery, building, plumbing or electrical jobs across the estate properties. A candidate that has one or more of these skills would be helpful

• Management of the estates programme of building projects over the next 5 years.

• Maintaining log supply to castle and Croft Collective

• Clearing ditches

• Erecting and dismantling chapel canopy (spring and autumn)

• Assist in clearing and readying the chapel ready for events

Tools, Equipment and Vehicles

• Keep all tools, equipment and vehicles in a clean and tidy condition

• Arrange/ undertake annual service of all estate vehicles and equipment.

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Candidate Requirements

• Valid UK Driver's License

• Preferred: to have a shotgun and firearms license

• No criminal record

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Location

Lochnell Estate, Ledaig, Oban, Argyll, PA37 1QT

For further information, please get in touch with Sophie Handley—Estate Factor on 07791 481 203 or Sophie@theestatesofficeargyll.com.

We are also willing to sponsor a Home Office visa.

This position will suit an experienced individual, or as part of a couple where the Estate Foreman's partner fulfills our other advertised role of Housekeeper/Hospitality Lead - see here.

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