Top countryside jobs revealed

George Inglis is the Duke of Northumberlands ghille at Dryburgh North. Picture: Contributed

THE best jobs in Britain for school-leavers are those which give a sense of freedom working in the great outdoors, according to Country Life magazine.

Instead of youngsters thinking high-flying, well-paid jobs in banking or hedge funds were prized goals, the “most golden” jobs are not always to be found in cities, the magazine said.

This week’s magazine reveals the countryside’s top ten most enviable jobs were head stalker, forester, country-house curator, curate, harbour master, ghillie, tenant farmer, racehorse trainer, head gardener and huntsman.

Editor Mark Hedges said: “Country Life writes about the best of the best, and that sometimes costs money, but we would still counsel a young person, starting out in life, to find a career he or she really enjoys.

The cover of Country Life. Picture: Contributed

“All stress and no satisfaction make Jack (or Jill) a dull wage slave. We wouldn’t be surprised at all if some city dwellers weren’t stirred by feeling of envy when they read about some of the jobs we have chosen.”

Gary Coutts, 46, head stalker at Balmoral, who started his career as a teenager, said: “It’s not a 9–5 job and you must be prepared to work all hours, for little pay – you’ll be rewarded in lots of other ways. This job is born into you – it’s never a chore, it’s a pleasure.”