Steward- Lochleven Castle

Starting salary: £27,740

Contract type: Fixed Term

Grade: 1

Location: Lochleven Castle

Working Hours: 17.5 hours a week (average 5 x 3 hr 30 minute shifts). Shifts generally start at 1100 and conclude at 1430 hours. The postholder should be prepared to work public holidays and weekends.

Your role of steward will be a fixed term position. The likely start date for this role is July 2026 (dependent on pre-employment checks) and the contract is for a duration of 13 weeks/3 months. This role is based at Lochleven Castle, Kinross, KY13 8UF.

Are you looking for a flexible seasonal job that is both fun and unique? You'll get an insight into Scotland's rich history and gain valuable experience in the tourism industry and help bring Scotland's dramatic history to life for our visitors from across the world. Explore the fascinating stories from Scotland's past and share your passion with international and local visitors who come to Lochleven Castle during the season.

This role differs from most other HES stewarding roles, as shifts start with a boat passage to Castle Island in Loch Leven, as it is based in the island admissions/retail space. It involves ensuring visitors continue to receive a warm, welcoming and efficient service while other team members take their breaks. Ideally, you should be prepared to undertake practical tasks, such as operating a water pump to ensure the island utilities remain working. The post is ideal for someone who enjoys engaging with visitors, promoting products, can work confidently on their own (with support from team members operating the boats, who are available via radio), and wants to be part of a unique heritage visitor experience.

Lochleven Castle is a remarkable island stronghold, situated in the middle of a National Nature Reserve. The boat passage makes visiting the property something of an adventure. Best known as the place where Mary, Queen of Scots was imprisoned and later escaped, the castle is one of Scotland’s oldest tower houses, dating from the 1300s. Working here means welcoming visitors to a truly memorable historic setting and helping bring one of Scotland’s most dramatic stories to life.

Benefits of joining us at Historic Environment Scotland:

• Enrolment onto a Civil Service Pension scheme – 28% employer contribution
• 25 days annual leave, pro-rata (increasing to 30 days after 3 years) + 11.5 public holidays
• Reimbursement for relevant professional subscriptions
• Support for further education and personal development
• Study leave for work related courses
• Flexible working hours (where appropriate)
• Free entry to all of our properties (with up to three guests)
• Free entry to English Heritage, Manx and Cadw properties

Key Responsibilities of this role:

• Provide the warmest welcome to our visitors and engage proactively with customer service.
• Process and promote retail and admissions transactions through the till system.
• Ensure a high standard of presentation throughout the site, following appropriate cleaning processes in both public and staff areas.
• Work as a team to achieve quality assurance Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).
• Actively support in HES seminars, events, functions and promotions.
• (Occasionally) deliver guided tours/talks as part of the core visitor experience.
• Proactively communicate with colleagues across the site to ensure high performance, standards and consistency.
• Support the Monument Manager on partnership and community engagement initiatives and projects, including volunteering, wedding photography and other events.
• Working together with your monument team to achieve overall commercial performance targets.
• Promote commercial opportunities within the monument, such as upcoming events and retail products where appropriate.
• Assist Monument Manager to ensure accurate stock management and assist with stock ordering and deliveries as required.
• Ensure the security of the site, buildings and contents, including acting as key holder (where required).
• Be ready to travel to the island by boat in all kinds of weather (uniform provided).
• Ensure that the health and safety of staff, visitors and contractors is paramount at all times and follow correct procedures to ensure safe operation of any equipment.

Key requirements of the role:

In order for you to be successful in this post, we will be looking for you to complete a cover letter which addresses:

• Why you are interested in the post with Historic Environment Scotland
• How you can meet each of the essential and desirable criteria (in up to 800 words), using examples of where you have used these skills in the past.

Please ensure that you provide real life examples for each of the criteria to be considered for this post. You can use examples of how you have met this criteria from your work life, home life, education or volunteer experience. Please read our CV and Cover Letter Guidance first before completing, as you will only be eligible for selection if you use examples of how you meet the essential and desirable criteria.

Essential Criteria:

• Experience delivering high standards of customer service in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent team working skills.
• Cash handling experience or willingness to undertake training.
• A genuine interest for working in the heritage tourism industry.
• Ability to work independently at times.
• IT skills and the ability to use basic online functions.

We are dedicated to building a workforce which is reflective of diversity within Scotland. We warmly welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds, regardless of age, race, gender or gender identity, religious beliefs, marital status, sexual orientation, disability, or neurodiversity. In support of our Gaelic Language Plan, we welcome applications from Gaelic speakers.

We want every candidate to have the best chance to succeed during the recruitment process. If you require your application in an alternative format, please reach out to us via email at recruit@hes.scot or call our Head Office at 0131 668 8600 and speak to a member of our People Team.

Please note that, at this time, we are unfortunately unable to provide sponsorship as part of the recruitment process, therefore you must have current right to work in the UK to be considered for a post.

To submit your application online, please read our ‘How to Apply’ section followed by ‘Apply Now’ button to begin your application.