Job Description October 2026

Role: Gardener Region: Highlands and Islands

Reports to: Garden and Estate Manager / Assistant

Head Gardener

Pay Grade: Grade 2 - £28,562 pro-rata, per annum

Location: Brodie Castle, Brodie, Forres, Moray. IV36

2TE

Type of Contract: Fixed-Term Until July 2027. Full-

Time, 40 Hours Per Week (Maternity Cover)

JOB PURPOSE

The National Trust for Scotland is passionate about Scotland’s heritage; we make a difference to what makes Scotland so

special. The role is based at Brodie Castle and Estate. Brodie Castle, Garden & Estate comprises: Grade A -listed 16th

century tower-house with 17th, 18th and 19th century additions, the Playful Garden, a significant collection of paintings

and furniture, and a 75-acre estate of designated historic designed landscape which holds policy woodland, a large pond

and the famous Brodie Daffodil Collection. It maintains strong links to the Brodie family, whose ancestral seat this was

for its entire history. The buildings and g rounds are open to the public all year round and are supported by multiple

catering facilities within the Castle and Playful Pavilion, two gift shops, the Stables conference centre and holiday. Brodie

also hosts weddings, private hire functions and year-round events.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS, EXPERIENCE & KNOWLEDGE

Qualifications

• A formal qualification at NVQ/ SVQ Level 2 in amenity horticulture supported by knowledge and a minimum of 2

years practical work experience in a heritage or amenity garden context.

• PA1 and PA6a spraying certificates, or willingness to be trained in the use of pesticides and to exercise that training.

• Current driving licence valid for driving in the UK.

• Formal machinery certifications, i.e., Ride on mowers, tractors, chainsaws etc or willingness to be trained.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Undertaking practical maintenance of the garden and estate e.g., managing trees and shrubs, herbaceous plants,

and bulbs; turf care; pest/disease/weed control; staking, plant nutrition, composting and soil improvement to the

required standards expected by the Trust and for the maximum safety of, and enjoyment by visitors including other

professionals in the horticultural industry.

• Contributing to the management, conservation, and development of the garden and estate by plant propagation,

cultivation, production of seed and the inputting of appropriate plant records on IRIS database and labelling were

directed by the Garden and Estate Manager or Assistant Head Gardener.

• The ability to work individually or as part of a team across a wide range of activities across the garden & estate

including hedge cutting, strimming & brush cutting, tractor/ATV driving, chipping & spraying.

• As requested, assisting with education/interpretation activities such as introductory talks and guided walks.

• Fostering positive relationships with visitors, local communities and other organisations and promote the work of

the Trust when & were appropriate.

• On occasion, supervising and working with volunteers and/or staff members to ensure they deliver required outputs

and the appropriate standard of work, and gain benefit/satisfaction from their activities.

• Undertaking such other reasonable duties as may from time to time be required to ensure the smooth running of

the property as required by the Operations Manager / Property Management team.

• On occasion, contributing to the review and development of operational workplans for the gardens.

• Ensuring compliance with the Trust’s health, safety, and environment policies and procedures. This will include

timely completion of HAVS, spraying records and attendance of annual health monitoring.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS, EXPERIENCE & KNOWLEDGE

Essential

• Practical experience in general amenity or heritage gardening ideally in a garden open to the public.

• Demonstrable skills in plant husbandry, particularly trees, shrubs, climbers, herbaceous plants, turf culture and

pruning techniques.

• Sound demonstrable plant knowledge and identification skills.

• Sound knowledge of basic tool and machinery use and maintenance and a wiliness to expand this.

• Good practical knowledge of Health and Safety processes and procedures and the ability to work effectively within

these processes.

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills; confident in interacting and dealing with the garden & estate team

and a wide range of people; and able to represent the Trust.

• Good organisational and time-management skills – including the ability to prioritise work where necessary and the

ability to work using own initiative, in the absence of direct line management.

• A high eye for detail and finish, quality standard and best practice.

• Competent IT skills sufficient for maintaining plant records, use of the internet/intranet, assisting volunteers, on -

line learning, management of online forms and a wiliness to use this.

• An understanding and commitment to the aims and objectives of the National Trust for Scotland.

• Living the values of the National Trust for Scotland and encourage colleagues to do the same.

o The ability and willingness to understand others’ perspectives and to consider the impact of your actions on

them and to adapt your actions as necessary.

o The ability and willingness to learn and try new things, to be flexible and step outside of your comfort zone.

o An open and honest way of communicating, ready to ask others for their ideas and to be open to hear and

consider different points of view.

o A pro-active approach to taking initiative and to driving forward ideas and projects designed to improve daily

operations and deliver an exceptional visitor experience.

Desirable

• Experience of tree inspection processes and/ or arboriculture practices or willingness to undertake training.

• Current First Aid certification (or willingness to train and use).

• Experience of working in a mixed team that includes short-term/seasonal staff and/or volunteers.

• An appreciation of Scottish garden history in a general context.

DIMENSIONS AND SCOPE OF JOB

People Management

• Not a line manager but will, on occasion, supervise volunteers and staff under instructions from Garden and Estate

Manager or Assistant Head Gardener.

• Will work closely with other property colleagues and will have some interaction with other technical/specialist

advisory colleagues based in other locations and departments (e.g. other NTS gardens.)

• Will have regular (daily) interaction with members of the public and guests of all ages and abilities.

Finance Management

Not a budget-holder but will be expected to take into consideration efficient use of resources for impact on the garden

budget.

Tools/equipment

• Will be a user of driven vehicles such as ride-on mowers and tractors.

• Will be a frequent user of powered tools such as chainsaws, mowers, strimmer’s, hedge -cutters, and, have a

curiosity to further this.

• Will be a frequent user of hand-tools such as spades, forks, trowels, rakes, hoes, shears, and secateurs.

• Will be an frequent user of IT equipment & role specific systems such as IRIS BG database, online holiday booking

forms, expenses etc.

HOW TO APPLY

Interested applicants should forward their Curriculum Vitae (CV) or an Application Form to the People Department,

The National Trust for Scotland, by email via workforus@nts.org.uk, by Sunday 18th October 2026.

• Please ensure your CV or application form includes your full name and contact details.

• The CV file application form sent to us should be titled with your first initial and surname.

• When submitting your CV or application form please state the position and job location of the vacancy you are

applying for in the subject title or body of your email: For example "Gardener - Brodie"