Situated on the Black Isle, near Inverness, Old Allangrange is a 17th-century house, with two and a half acres of (SOPA certified) organic market garden and five acres of ornamental and landscaped gardens with a parterre, orchard and mound. Produce and flowers are grown for the Black Isle Brewery restaurants in Inverness and Fort William.
Old Allangrange is currently looking for an experienced, hands-on, Head Gardener to work closely alongside the owners and gardening team. As Head Gardener you will lead, manage, and develop a thriving and sustainable garden that balances efficient, small-scale food production with a well-maintained, aesthetically strong, ornamental garden. Working to the principles of polyculture, no dig, agroforestry and permaculture, the position is for someone experienced and committed in using regenerative methods of managing landscape, in order to promote biodiversity and gardening with sensitivity to nature – all the while ensuring that the ornamental gardens are kept to a high standard.
The owners established the Black Isle Brewery in 1998, the first organic brewery in Scotland. In 2015 they opened the Black Isle Bar in Inverness and installed two Keder greenhouses, which led to the creation of the productive Triskele garden. Committed to sustainability, the land has been free from chemicals (since 1995), emphasising biodiversity and permaculture principles to regenerate the land naturally. They continue to actively research and implement ways to reducing plastic, water usage and perfecting recycling of all organic materials back into the land. Also committed to the local community, they encourage visitors to the gardens on both garden tours and private walks.
As Head Gardener, you will organise and direct the gardening team; oversee year-round, sustainable and regenerative fruit and vegetable growing; ensure the care and evolution of the ornamental garden. All gardening tasks appertaining to the care and development of a garden will be required as well as a strong commitment to ecological stewardship. You will develop and implement a garden management plan, staff rota, care for garden tools & equiptment. The candidate will organise an evolving itinerary of horticultural and country skill workshops held in the garden and on the farm.
You will have a Level 2 – 3 horticultural qualification, and/or three years experience as a Head Gardener at a historic or private estate. For the position, experience of organic growing is essential plus a strong commitment to regenerative horticulture. Demonstrable plant knowledge and experience of organic growing methods is key, as are planning skills and experience with all aspects of growing – from propagation to irrigation. Excellent pruning skills are required, as the location has a wide range of perennial plants, shrubs and climbers. The candidate will need to be a positive team player with strong communication skills, confident to converse with the public. You keep excellent records and can organise, and work with a team volunteer gardeners.
- Location: Old Allangrange, Munlochy, Ross-Shire, IV8 8N
- Contract: Full time, 40 hours p/w, Monday – Friday, 8:00 – 17:00 (with flexibility to cover weekend work in the summer)
- Salary: Up to £38,000 depending on experience (with possibility of on-site accommodation )
- Holidays: 28 days holiday per annum including bank holidays.
Applications for the role (CV and cover letter) are to be sent to jj@blackislegardendesign.com.
