An excellent opportunity has arisen for an experienced and dedicated Head Gardener on a 26-acre estate based in East Lothian, Scotland. This position would suit a self-motivated and passionate horticulturalist who is looking for a rewarding role in charge of a well-established garden.

The estate’s beautiful gardens offer a diverse range of horticultural features, including carefully tended lawns, vibrant herbaceous borders, and hedges that create a sense of structure and elegance. The grounds also incorporate more naturalistic areas, such as an arboretum, informal parkland and wooded areas. The estate benefits from both a heated, display greenhouse as well as production greenhouses, which are used to propagate a wide range of seasonal plants and nurture bedding plants throughout the year. There is also a picturesque orchard filled with mature fruit trees, a formal pond garden and, notably, a walled garden.

The successful candidate will oversee garden management and development. They will ensure that the estate’s gardens are maintained to the highest standards throughout the seasons. The Head Gardener will have responsibility for implementing garden improvements and bringing their own horticultural vision to enhance the estate’s character. The Head Gardener will work closely with the estate owners to ensure that their preferences are reflected in the garden’s ongoing care and future developments.

Applicants will ideally have 5+ years’ experience within a senior position at a private estate or public garden. Comprehensive plant knowledge and woodland management experience is essential as well as relevant horticultural qualifications and experience, including chainsaw and spraying certificates.

The successful applicant will have excellent communication skills, as well as the ability to work alone or within a team, operational knowledge and experience of safe use and routine maintenance of garden machinery, including a small tractor, ride on mowers, strimmers, hedge cutters and chainsaws. A full UK Driving Licence is required for this role.

The candidate will have comprehensive horticultural knowledge and carry out work to a high standard. The estate has an excellent staff retention record and rewards hardworking and committed individuals.

This position comes with a 2-bedroom cottage, with its own garden and greenhouse, just off the estate. The employer will cover council tax, while the candidate will be responsible for all other utility bills. Children are welcome. 28 days holiday including bank holidays, plus the standard employer’s contribution to pension.

SALARY:  Circa £30,000 DOE (Live in) + Accommodation

LOCATION:  East Lothian, Scotland

JOB No:  EC70201

If this Head Gardener vacancy is of interest, please apply below or email Jay Rimell on info@englishcountrygardeners.co.uk OR call to speak to Jay on on 01233 733510. 

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Thank you for the interest you have shown in this Head Gardener vacancy.  Unfortunately, due to the high volume of applications that we receive, it is not possible to respond to every one.  Therefore, unless you hear from us within the next 14 days, your application for this vacancy has been unsuccessful.

We are proud to work with:

• the Professional Gardeners’ Guild
• the RHS
• the WFGA – offering the WRAGs Scheme
• Arne Maynard Garden Design
• Historic Houses
• the HBG Training Programme

Tagged as: head gardener, Live In