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Balcaskie House Gardens Horticulturalist Role

Balcaskie Estate House, Pittenweem Salary negotiable.

Balcaskie House Gardens Horticulturalist Role

East Neuk of Fife, Scotland 

A flexible role to suit the right person. 


The Anstruther family has been rooted in the East Neuk since the 12th Century, with Balcaskie as its home since the end of the 17th Century.

The category A listed Balcaskie House is the creation of William Bruce, who made it his home around the time he was architect to the King for Holyrood Palace. Bruce went on to design Kinross House, Hopetoun House and several of Scotland’s most important buildings.

Later additions were by William Burn, the prominent Scottish architect involved in the later stages of the design of Stirling’s Wallace Monument. In 1905, George Elgood wrote that Balcaskie was ‘one of the best and most satisfying gardens in the British Isles’. Over the centuries, the gardens have seen input from Gilpin, Bryce & Nesfield. The house and gardens remain a private family home, although the gardens are open annually as part of Scotland’s Gardens project.

Since 2016, the gardens have been organically managed, as is the rest of the 3500 acre estate. The gardens are a combination of formal structure, some formal planting and some less formal planting within the formal structure. 

A south facing, coastal terraced garden, with sandstone retaining walls, benefits from a microclimate which supports plants including, Brugmansia, Fig, Peach and provides an extended season sheltered from the prevailing wind.

The role would suit someone who understands and has experience of large, designed gardens but within that context is most interested in plants and is keen to use their skill and experience to help develop and maintain existing and new planted areas of this historic garden. The role requires a self-motivated individual who is keen to manage their own time and workload whilst being able to understand the owners vision for the garden.  The owners, while of course interested in the gardens, are not always at the house and will be keen to see the gardens in experienced hands. 

While the farm and wider estate are very involved in developing and working with the local and regional food network, most of garden – perhaps like most gardens – is not food-focussed.  There are opportunities to develop the food (herbs, vegetables, fruit) aspects of the garden but not at the expense of the rest of the garden. 

Much like nature, the role is flexible to suit the seasons and the right person. We are looking for someone who can commit to approximately three days per week but we understand that there will be quieter and busier times. As part of a small team, you will have a good degree of autonomy over all things plant related. The lawns and boundaries including hedges and paths will continue to be managed by others in the team. Balcaskie is a well-equipped modern estate with excellent working conditions and we actively encourage people to take responsibility and pride. www.balcaskie.com

The role will require past experience of diverse plants and designed gardens in a similar climate and the ability to understand the owners vision for the gardens. A practical and technical ability will be essential to deliver the best outcome for the gardens.

As we are not on a bus route, a driving license is essential.

Salary negotiable. 

Accommodation may be available. 

Please contact: info@balcaskie.com with CV and or covering letter.