Tourism and catering staff offered dream job

Scottish Natural Heritage is looking for a Visitor Services Manager and a Catering Manager to take up two-year posts at the island's Kinloch Castle, a category A listed building right in the heart of Scotland's largest National Nature Reserve. The successful candidates will have a unique opportunity to live surrounded by a diverse landscape and wide variety of wildlife. The isle of Rum is home to just 35 permanent residents but 60,000 pairs of manx shearwater birds, as well as golden eagles, red deer, otters and its own special breed of pony. The castle is a busy visitor attraction and also offers accommodation in the form of a hostel and more luxurious period bedrooms. Around 10,000 people visit the isle of Rum every year and the castle bistro caters for both castle guests and visitors, including families, cruise ship parties and hill walkers. Sarah Bentley of Scottish Natural Heritage, said: "The isle of Rum is a stunning location and this is a unique opportunity to enjoy the outdoors and wildlife opportunities which a National Nature Reserve provides. "It's not every day you get the chance to live and work in your own castle and these are exciting positions, which involve dealing with a whole host of different visitors to the island. One day you could be welcoming a cruise ship full of hungry tourists, the next working with the BBC's Autumn Watch team. "The successful candidates will benefit from the quality of life that being surrounded by green space and nature offers and although these are demanding jobs, there is no better stress reliever than a walk in the great outdoors." Details The Visitor Services Manager vacancy is a fixed term post for two years from appointment, with the possibility of extension. Candidates require significant experience in either visitor attraction or hotel management, as well as excellent management and communication skills. The closing date for applications is 17th May 2010. The Catering Manager vacancy is a two-year fixed term appointment with the possibility of extension. Candidates require an SVQ Level 2 Professional Cookery qualification or equivalent. Previous experience of implementing and managing a HACCP food safety system is essential, along with string financial and customer care skills. The island offers the new catering manager an excellent natural larder, with wild venison, fresh fish and other locally sourced produce available right on the doorstep. The closing date for applications is 23rd May 2010. Accommodation (suitable for a family if required) is provided and salary details are available on request. The isle of Rum is the largest of more than 50 national nature reserves across the Scotland that provide unique opportunities to visit, enjoy and learn more about Scotland's nature. The reserves are currently the focus of a promotional campaign by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) to encourage more people to get out into nature. For more information about the vacancies on the isle of Rum, call Sarah Bentley on 01397 715 339.