At a Glance
- Tasks: Join us in preserving Scotland's historic monuments through traditional stonemasonry techniques.
- Company: Historic Environment Scotland, dedicated to conserving our rich heritage.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, generous leave, and support for your professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by working on iconic sites and mentoring future stonemasons.
- Qualifications: Time-served tradesperson with stonemasonry expertise and a passion for conservation.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace with excellent career development opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 27519 - 33023 £ per year.
Starting salary: £27,519
Contract type: Permanent
Grade: 2
Location: Perth, Scotland
Working Hours: Monday - Friday
Interviews: To be held in person at Perth Depot on Week Commencing 23rd February 2026
Thank you for your interest in the post of Stonemason with Historic Environment Scotland that will be based at our Perth Depot. This is a permanent, full-time position.
The Monument Conservation Unit (MCU) based in Perth is tasked with the responsibility for conservation, maintenance and presentation works within the Perth depot’s remit. You will assist with conservation and routine maintenance works to HES monuments in the Perth Depot area including Stanley Mills, Lochleven Castle, Balvaird Castle, Dunkeld Cathedral and Burleigh Castle.
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:
- You will carry out conservation and routine maintenance works to HES monuments in the various depot areas. This involves all forms of traditional masonry including:
- Stone cutting/hewing of various architectural mouldings/stones for the depot sites and monuments in other depot areas as required.
- Traditional building/repairs/indenting of stonework.
- Raking out and pointing defective joints and beds.
- Promote traditional methods of conservation and masonry techniques to carry out challenging and diverse conservation projects/works.
- Operate hand tools in addition to powered machinery such as disc saws, mortar mixers, compressors, hoists etc to facilitate the work when trained to do so.
- The winter season may consist of work outwith the normal duties associated with stonemasonry consisting of lime washing, grounds works and cobbles/slabs repair as well as general presentation works.
- Provide training and mentoring for apprentice stonemasons in traditional conservation skills when required.
- Comply with and promote HES Health and Safety Policy.
- From time to time you will be required to attend training courses identified to assist the work, or to comply with health and safety legislation (this may require overnight stays away from home).
In order for you to be successful in this post, we will be looking for you to submit a cover letter which addresses how you can meet each of the essential and desirable criteria (in up to 1,200 words), using examples of where you have demonstrated these criteria previously. 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.
Essential:
- Be a time-served tradesperson
- Proven knowledge of the stonemasonry trade and other traditional building crafts. In particular an understanding and knowledge of current conservation practices and techniques relating to historic buildings and monuments.
- Good understanding and practical experience of the conservation, presentation and repair of Historic Monuments and/or listed buildings.
- Good all-round understanding and practical experience of using lime mortars.
- SVQ level 4 or SVQF level 6 (advanced craft) in Stonemasonry.
- Competent in all aspects of stone cutting, hewing practices and techniques.
- Competent in stone repair, indenting and the various practices and techniques used and in building of stonework of both random rubble and ashlar work.
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’ followed by ‘Apply Now’ button to begin your application.
Stonemason - Perth Depot 172 employer: Historic Environment Scotland
Contact Detail:
Historic Environment Scotland Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Stonemason - Perth Depot 172
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company! Research Historic Environment Scotland and their projects. This will help you tailor your conversation during the interview and show that you're genuinely interested in the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice makes perfect! Prepare for common interview questions related to stonemasonry and conservation techniques. Think about your past experiences and how they relate to the job description.
✨Tip Number 3
Dress the part! Make sure you look professional and appropriate for the role. A good first impression can go a long way in making you stand out from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 4
Follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email can keep you fresh in their minds and shows your enthusiasm for the position. Plus, it’s a great chance to reiterate why you’re the best fit!
We think you need these skills to ace Stonemason - Perth Depot 172
Some tips for your application 🫡
Read the Job Description Carefully: Before you start writing, give the job description a good read. It’s packed with info on what we’re looking for, so make sure you understand the key responsibilities and criteria. This will help you tailor your application to show us why you're the perfect fit!
Craft Your Cover Letter Thoughtfully: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Address how you meet each of the essential and desirable criteria with real-life examples. We want to see your experience in action, so don’t hold back on sharing those stories that highlight your skills.
Keep It Concise and Relevant: While we love a good story, remember to keep your application concise. Stick to the word limit and focus on the most relevant experiences that showcase your stonemasonry skills. We appreciate clarity and directness!
Apply Through Our Website: When you’re ready to submit, make sure to apply through our website. It’s the easiest way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re following the right process. Plus, it shows you’re keen to join our team at Historic Environment Scotland!
How to prepare for a job interview at Historic Environment Scotland
✨Know Your Craft Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your stonemasonry skills and knowledge before the interview. Be ready to discuss specific techniques, tools, and conservation practices you've used in past projects. This will show your passion and expertise in the field.
✨Prepare Real-Life Examples
Since the job requires you to demonstrate how you meet the essential and desirable criteria, think of concrete examples from your work, home, or volunteer experiences. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers clearly.
✨Understand the Role and Responsibilities
Familiarise yourself with the key responsibilities listed in the job description. Be prepared to discuss how your previous experience aligns with tasks like stone cutting, repairs, and mentoring apprentices. This shows that you’re not just interested in the role but also understand what it entails.
✨Show Enthusiasm for Conservation
Historic Environment Scotland values conservation highly, so express your enthusiasm for preserving historical monuments. Share any relevant experiences or projects that highlight your commitment to traditional methods and conservation practices.