Gardener Stirling Depot 2578

Starting salary:28620
Contract type:Permanent
Grade:2
Location:Stirling Castle
Working Hours:Monday - Friday
Interviews:To be held in person at Stirling Castle on Week Commencing 9th March 2026

Thank you for your interest in the post of a Gardener with Historic Environment Scotland that will be based in Stirling Castle Gardens. This is a permanent position.

You will be a member of the team of Gardeners working at Stirling Castle ensuring project and routine maintenance programmes are adhered to. This is a chance to join a busy and dedicated team of staff working in one of the highest profiles scheduled ancient monuments and visitor attractions in the country.

For more information about the post and information about the team please access the full job description Stirling Castle Gardener Job for this post. Please note that if you dont have Office 365 installed on your device this can be opened using your browser.

Benefits of joining us at Historic Environment Scotland

• Enrolment onto a Civil Service Pension scheme 28% employer contribution
• 25 days annual leave pro-rata (increasing to 30 days after 3 years) 11.5 public holidays
• Reimbursement for relevant professional subscriptions
• Support for further education and personal development
• Study leave for work related courses
• Flexible working hours (where appropriate)
• Free entry to all of our properties (with up to three guests)
• Free entry to English Heritage Manx and Cadw properties

Key Responsibilities of this role

• Responsible for all aspects of horticulture and grounds maintenance within a historic and high-profile landscape.
• To deliver grounds maintenance to a high standard including weeding planting mulching and provision of care for trees shrubs herbaceous half-hardy and hardy plant stock within that environment.
• To assist in the maintenance and production of polytunnel nursery stock having a sound knowledge of polytunnel cultivation and a high level of propagation skills to enable production of high-quality stock from seed and cuttings.
• Maintenance of fine lawns undertaking mowing scarifying aerating application of herbicides and fertilisers.
• Use and maintenance of hand-tools equipment and machinery such as petrol driven ride-on mowers pedestrian mowers strimmers and hedge cutters.
• Mentor apprentice gardener supporting their training and progress.
• Maintain a good working knowledge of the various plants that are grown in the gardens.
• Deal with queries from visitors and site stakeholders regarding the gardens.

Key requirements of the role:

In order for you to be successful in this post we will be looking for you to submit a cover letter which addresses how you can meet each of the essential and desirable criteria (in up to 1200 words) using examples of where you have demonstrated these criteria previously. Please ensure that you provide real life examples for each of the criteria to be considered for this post. You can use examples of how you have met this criteria from your work life home life education or volunteer experience.Please read our CV and Cover Letter Guidancefirst before completing as you will only be eligible for selection if you use examples of how you meet the essential and desirable criteria.

Essential:

• Appropriate qualification atSCQF Level 7 in horticulture/arboriculture or extensive equivalent experience.
• Have a good knowledge of horticultural cultivation methods.
• Be skilled in plant identification.
• Have an awareness of plant pests and diseases along with their treatment.
• Turf maintenance and establishment experience
• Experience of using horticultural machinery.

Find out more aboutdesirableskills and experience in our full job description Stirling Castle Gardener Job .

We are dedicated to building a workforce which is reflective of diversity within Scotland. We warmly welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds regardless of age race gender or gender identity religious beliefs marital status sexual orientation disability or support of our Gaelic Language Plan we welcome applications from Gaelic speakers.

We want every candidate to have the best chance to succeed during the recruitment process. If you require your application in an alternative format please reach out to us via email ator call our Head Office at 0 and speak to a member of our People Team.

Please note that at this time we are unfortunately unable to provide sponsorship as part of the recruitment process therefore you must have current right to work in the UK to be considered for a post.

To submit your application online please read our How to Apply followed by Apply Now button to begin your application.