Grounds Gardener (Horticulturist)

Job Title: Grounds Gardener (Horticulturist)

Location: Balmoral Castle, Ballater, Aberdeenshire AB35 5TB

Department: Gardens

Reports to: Head of Gardens

Salary: TBC, dependent on experience

Contract: Permanent, full-time

Accommodation: No accommodation available

Balmoral Estate is owned by His Majesty the King and is managed in a traditional manner similar to many other privately owned Scottish highland estates. Overall management is directed by the Factor at the Estates Office at Balmoral, near Crathie, Aberdeenshire.

Balmoral is situated approximately 50 miles west of Aberdeen, 6 miles west of Ballater, 9 miles east of Braemar and at a height of 900 to 950 ft above sea level. It can be found on Ordnance Survey maps 43 and 44 (land ranger 1:50,000).

The Castle gardens and grounds are open throughout the year to visitors when the Royal Family aren’t in residence. They attract over 70,000 visitors per year.

The Castle is set in its own gardens and policy parks which are managed by the Head of Gardens.

We do not tolerate discrimination based on protected characteristics (age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, gender identity, or marriage and civil partnership) or other differences such as socio-economic background or social origin.

Balmoral Castle Gardens

Balmoral Gardens is a Historic Garden and is currently being enhanced with several exciting new garden features including a Thistle maze, a Celtic Maze, topiary, trees, shrubs and hedging. Other established features include The Queen Mary’s Garden, Sunken Garden, Herbaceous Borders, Kitchen Garden and Glasshouses. We also look after gardens for holiday cottages on the estate.

The Role

To assist the Head of Gardens, Deputy Head Gardener and garden team, with the maintenance of the gardens at Balmoral Castle focusing particularly on turf and machinery maintenance. Ensuring the highest possible standards of horticulture are maintained in line with the garden’s organic principles.

Key Tasks

Undertake and assist with the day-to-day aspects of maintaining the gardens at Balmoral Gardens and delivering exemplary standards of turf management and machinery maintenance.

Maintain turf on the estate and support the gardening team as required with other horticultural tasks ensuring the organic status of the garden is maintained.

The post-holder is expected to resolve day-to-day problems that arise relating to the works undertaken, seeking advice or approval from the Assistant Head Gardener or Head of Gardens where necessary.

Support the Head of Gardens with ensuring all aspects of Health and Safety legislation are being followed. Report any accidents, near misses or dangerous occurrences as necessary.

Assist with the maintenance of machinery and equipment on site. As part of this, ensure faults in machinery or equipment are reported and logged, in addition to ensuring that machinery pre-start and post-finish checks are undertaken on each occasion a machine is used.

Contribute to the preparation for events and tours ensuring the gardens are shown to their highest horticultural standard.

The post-holder will be required to work full time and flexibly due to the seasonal nature of the work including some weekends and Bank Holidays.

Any other duties as required..

Person Specification

The essential skills, knowledge and experience required are:

• Qualified to National Diploma in horticulture and/or excellent hands-on practical experience machinery and turf maintenance.

• A skilled and knowledgeable gardener with relevant practical experience.

• The ability to undertake garden tasks to a high standard and be able to demonstrate and pass on skills to others.

• Be able and willing to work alone or take the lead in specific aspects of the garden’s maintenance and development, when asked.

• Knowledge and experience of turf management.

• Good plant knowledge and a good level of understanding of their cultivation, maintenance, propagation and management.

• Be able to safely operate a diverse range of garden machinery, tools and equipment.

• Applied knowledge and understanding of all current health and safety legislation.

• Ability to identify a range of horticultural pests and diseases.

• Excellent interpersonal communication skills.

Desirable Skills

• Experience or knowledge of organic practices.

• Current driving licence

• Any LANTRA certifications in machinery and equipment including grass cutting.

• Experience in fixing machinery.

• The use of push, cylinder and ride on lawn mowers.

Other

Hours of Work: Normally 8:00–4pm, Monday to Friday (40 hours per week)

Extra weekend watering duties are required on a rota basis.

Additional Information

The job involves carrying out demanding and repetitive physical tasks.

Applications

Please complete the application form and send a cover letter with your CV, to the following email address: [email protected]

Or post to

Kirsty Wilson (Head of Gardens)

Balmoral, The Estates Office

Balmoral, Ballater

Aberdeenshire, AB35 5TB

Closing deadline Friday 30th May 2025