Mixed Veterinary Surgeon

Overview

Mixed Vet Opportunity | Independent Practice | Castle Douglas, Scotland

Looking to grow your skills and develop your career in a supportive and varied role? Join our friendly team at Stewartry Veterinary Centre, a well-established, independent mixed practice in the heart of rural Dumfries & Galloway, southwest Scotland.

We’re looking for a motivated and enthusiastic veterinary surgeon with at least one to two years’ experience and strong communication skills. This role offers excellent variety and hands-on opportunities—perfect for someone keen to build their skillset while making a valued contribution to both the practice and local community.

About Us

Stewartry Veterinary Centre is a progressive, independent practice with a long-standing reputation for delivering high-quality veterinary care. Based in Castle Douglas, we serve a wide client base across the southwest of Scotland, providing a true mixed service to farms, companion animals, and pleasure horses.

We strive towards ongoing clinical excellence and contextualised care—adapting our approach to the real-world needs of our clients and animals. Our work incorporates a loyal base of small animal clients, large-scale dairy businesses, beef and sheep farms; a steady flow of pleasure horses, plus the odd budgie and alpaca.

The companion animal work is wide and varied in scope as would be expected in rural Scotland. Clinical freedom to work up cases with input and collaboration from peers as required. Opportunities to partake in the surgical caseload and expand areas of interest in medicine, surgery or therapeutics. Good relationships with referral institutes in the Central Belt with opportunity to undertake more complex surgeries or medical cases on site if circumstances dictate. In-house Idexx biochem, haematology, DR, Ultrasound, dental machine. Actively looking to expand and improve equipment as required. The practice also has a small branch surgery in the nearby town of Dalbeattie.

The dairy work is typical of progressive, and at times large scale, dairying – routine fertilities, preventative herd health input as well as emergency work. We are deeply rooted in our client’s enterprises and have mutual aim to improve their animal’s health and welfare, improve their people and their businesses through advice, training, regular interactions and ongoing data analysis. Multiple Easiscan ultrasounds, Totalvet, Vet Impress

Beef and sheep work spans from pedigree herds with bulls delivered into Cogent and Highland show winning pedigree sheep, to lifestyle owners with a handful of “Mildreds” “Spots” and “Ethels”. We run beef fertility programmes and synchs, are actively involved in semen testing with a Lane Pulsator IV and probe. Again, we are actively engaged in these clients’ businesses to add value and improve animal welfare

Equine work is expanding, offering good vetting to people’s pets and pleasure horses. Occasional repro work, lameness workups, routine health care and a strong progressive input into worming regimes all feature. Portable X-ray.

This opportunity has arisen due to the retirement of two partners – Helen and Graham Bell. Bruce and Ali Haggerty have been involved in the business for a combined 25 years are taking it forward with a committed team. There are imminent future plans for redevelopment of the practice site to deliver a modern building capable of holding the practice in the future. We feel this is an exciting point in time to drive an established and respected business forwards, improving our already strong offering to the local community and collaborating to grow as a team and business for the future of The Stewartry!

We foster a collaborative, open culture where mutual respect, case discussion and shared learning are part of daily life. We’re also experienced in mentoring and tutoring early-career vets, with dedicated GDP advisors on the team and a genuine commitment to helping colleagues grow and thrive. Whether you\\\’re looking to broaden your clinical experience or explore a particular interest, we’ll help you shape your career.

About You

You’ll be RCVS-registered, with at least 1–2 years’ experience in clinical practice. We’re looking for someone proactive and compassionate—confident enough to work independently when needed, but a team player at heart. You’ll value your clients and patients, communicate clearly and effectively, bringing a practical, empathetic approach to clinical work.

If you’re a capable problem-solver with a desire to keep learning and a passion for delivering the best care possible, we’d love to hear from you.

The Role

This is a genuine mixed role involving small animal, farm, and equine work. Your week will include a variety of consultations, preventative care, diagnostics, treatment, and surgery across the species. Specific interests in a certain discipline of the practice can be accommodated.

We offer a 1 in 5 rota with time off in lieu and fair rest after nights and weekends. You’ll enjoy clinical freedom and the ability to develop areas of interest, all within a team that supports shared learning and mutual respect.

The Package

We offer a competitive salary, commensurate with experience and skillset. The package includes:

• Use of a vehicle and phone
• Paid RCVS, VDS, BVA, and one other relevant memberships
• Funded CPD on merit, with full support to pursue interests
• Uniform provided
• A genuine 1 in 5 rota, with time off in lieu
• Supportive onboarding and access to experienced mentors
• Statutory holiday allowance.
• Accommodation can be provided if required

We’re serious about maintaining a healthy work-life balance and creating a working environment that supports professional development.

Life in Castle Douglas

Castle Douglas is a vibrant, welcoming rural town known as Scotland’s Food Town, home to a wide range of independent shops, cafés, and local producers. It’s surrounded by stunning coastlines, forests, and hills, offering fantastic opportunities for walking, cycling, wild swimming, and generally enjoying the outdoors. There are easy links to the West Coast Rail Network. Glasgow is approximately 1 hour 45 mins away, Edinburgh is approximately 2 hours away and Carlisle is 1 hour. With a strong sense of community and a relaxed pace of life, it’s a brilliant place to live and work.

Interested? We’d love to hear from you!

To apply, please send a Covering Letter and CV to: bruce@stewartryvets.com

For a further confidential, informal chat, please contact: Bruce on 07843565207.