Wanted: Island Ranger for remote Scottish isle of Handa

For those fed up with the daily grind of the nine to five, an exciting opportunity to work as a wildlife ranger on a remote Scottish island is available.

Video provided courtesy of The Scottish Wildlife Trust*

With nearly 100,000 breeding seabirds, pristine white sandy beaches, 120m cliffs and spectacular vistas, the isle of Handa offers an idyllic retreat from modern life.

Nestled off the north-west of Scotland, the island is seeking an ‘Island Ranger’ to help protect and monitor the native bird species and help manage the isle’s conservation projects.

The island of Handa. Picture: Geograph/Creative CommonsThe island of Handa. Picture: Geograph/Creative Commons
The island of Handa. Picture: Geograph/Creative Commons
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The Scottish Wildlife Trust, who own the island, are looking for an individual who loves the outdoors, is physically fit and enjoys being independent as the island has no permanent population.

The 26-week position runs from 19 March - 14 September and comes with a salary of £14,5000 per annum.

Don’t expect any hotels or luxuries though.

Handa sits off the Sutherland coast. Picture: GoogleHanda sits off the Sutherland coast. Picture: Google
Handa sits off the Sutherland coast. Picture: Google

Accommodation for the post is provided free of charge in the purpose-built Ranger’s bothy.

Weekly trips to civilization include visits to the tiny village of Scourie on the mainland, where Rangers can do laundry and collect supplies.

Despite the remoteness of the isle the Ranger will not be alone for their six month stay.

A sea stack on the island of Handa. Picture: Creative CommonsA sea stack on the island of Handa. Picture: Creative Commons
A sea stack on the island of Handa. Picture: Creative Commons

Up to 150 bird-watchers flock to the island on its busiest days and teams of volunteers help to maintain the reserve.

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A spokesman for the Scottish Wildlife Trust said: “The Ranger has a room in the Bothy, while volunteers are in shared accommodation.

“We recruit volunteers for the season too, so if six months on Handa is too much for people to consider there they can either volunteer for a week, or on one of up to six long term placements, lasting from two weeks to five months. “Applications for volunteering open in January.”

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The trust state that the successful applicant will “have a high degree of emotional maturity, resilience and flexibility and be able to organise, supervise and motivate a small team.”

The island of Handa. Picture: Geograph/Creative CommonsThe island of Handa. Picture: Geograph/Creative Commons
The island of Handa. Picture: Geograph/Creative Commons

The Accommodation provided is suitable for one couple taking up a job-share arrangement, or for one individual ranger. The closing date for applications is Monday.

For more details and to download an application form visit Scottish Wildlife Trust or click here.

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