A remote Scottish island is offering someone the chance to relocate and become a livestock manager.
The small island, called the Isle of Ulva is situated off the west coast of the Isle of Mull in the West of Scotland and was purchased by the North West Mull Community Woodland Company (NWMCWC) on behalf of the local community in 2018.
If you think these past few years have been a lot and you need a little escape - we can't blame you so it might interest you to know that the remote island is home to just 11 residents.
The part-time role, which has the scope to become a 'full agricultural tenancy', is now being advertised online with the job duration said to be around two and a half years lasting until December 31 2024.
And depending on qualifications and experience, a monthly salary of between £732 and £912 is being offered for the year 2022 and could increase between £976 and £1216 from 2023 onwards..
As reported by Edinburgh Live, NWMCWC established a cattle herd comprising of 34 pedigree Highland heifers which are run extensively alongside a small sheep flock.
In addition to this, a Highland stock bull will be joining the herd this summer.
The job involves the following:
- Day-to-day management of the cattle herd and sheep flock on Ulva
- Deal with all aspects of livestock welfare and production
- Some basic farmland maintenance
- Compliance with the grazing requirements of the agri-environment climate scheme
According to the job description, the successful applicant will be expected to work independently though "some contractor help is likely to be needed at key times during larger livestock handlings."
The applicant should also be able to "demonstrate relevant farming experience, preferably in similar landscapes and logistically challenging locations" however there is opportunity to "benefit from mentoring on a nearby farm on the Isle of Mull for any new entrants or candidates wishing to expand their knowledge about hill livestock farming or otherwise wanting to take advantage of support to settle into this position."
The NWMCWC say they envisage a candidate who is "passionate about sustainable farming practices and agroecological farming systems" as ell as being "sympathetic to the wider ethos and objectives for sustainable social and economic development of Ulva and the role of agriculture within that."
Interested? Send along your CV including present situation and relevant experience to the Scottish Land Matching Service via email slms@nfus.org.uk referencing Ulva in the subject heading.
