£20k island of Inchcolm job gets global interest

By EMMA COWING
Published on 10/02/2013 01:05

MORE THAN 100 people from as far away as South Africa and Italy have applied for a job to live on a small island on the Firth of Forth.

The position, which will involve managing the uninhabited island of Inchcolm, home to a medieval abbey and a small gift shop, for eight months of the year, has attracted interest from all over the world. The successful applicant will be expected to live on site in a two-bedroomed cottage.

A spokesperson for Historic Scotland, which runs the ­island, said: “We have received over 100 applications for the job and over 200 enquiries about the post. We’ve had ­people from America, the Netherlands, Canada, Italy and South Africa all enquiring if they might be eligible.”

The job, which pays £20,373, may appeal to those weary of the rat race and looking for a more isolated lifestyle.

The successful candidate will live next to the abbey in a small cottage on the island, which lies in the shadow of the Forth Bridge. One other member of staff will also be on site and the two will share the ­cottage from March to October every year.

However, there are certain drawbacks to life on the ­island. Drinking water as well as food must be brought over from the mainland, and internet connection is limited.

And although there is a TV in the cottage, reception can be affected by passing ships.