You could be the sole inhabitant of a remote Scottish island — for £25,000 per year
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A remote Scottish island with a population of precisely zero is seeking a new manager – and most of your company will be the local wildlife. The Scottish Wildlife Trust is looking for a new ranger on the island of Handa – which, alongside housing one of the most significant seabird breeding colonies in Europe, is both a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and a Special Protection Area (SPA).
Found just off the west coast of Sutherland, the island is accessible via a pedestrian ferry from Tarbet – and there are dramatic sea views and endless peace and quiet, besides the friendly sound of the chirping wildlife. As such, the most common seabirds here include puffins, razorbills, great skuas, and guillemots – which are currently visited by approximately 8,000 people each year despite Handa’s lack of a permanent population.
Looking after vast swathes of Handa’s wildlife is crucial to the role, as the new Handa Island Ranger will ‘effectively manage’ the remote island, as per the job listing. They’ll also organise work programmes and a team of volunteers. Accommodation is generously included in the £25,000 salary, and while no specific qualifications are outlined, a good working knowledge of marine and terrestrial natural history is preferred.
Likewise, a driving license and access to a vehicle are both required. ‘Handa is a globally recognised breeding site for birds such as guillemots, razorbills, and great skuas,’ the job listing states. ‘It offers stunning views of the north-west coast of Scotland and its characteristic Torridonian sandstone mountains.
