Couple required for house keeping and estate maintenance. - Ref 1403 Date: January 20, 2025

A position has arisen for a couple to work on an exciting brand new high-end Estate on the Isle of Lewis on the Outer Hebrides. The principal dwelling on the Estate has recently been rebuilt and now offers an amazing opportunity for a couple to embed within the Estate community to provide valuable services to the owner as well as paying guests. This is no traditional Highland Sporting Estate and the couple who are successful in getting the position will have the opportunity to shape the luxurious estate experience with activities including diving, sailing, fishing, shooting, photography trips and even a sauna! The couple may have a hobby or passion for an activity like Pilates, Yoga, cold water swimming etc. which would add value to the role and they can share with Estate guests during their stay.

The role will entail housekeeping duties for the main house, estate office and additional estate properties within the locality and be responsible for general site maintenance. You will work alongside our fantastic Gamekeeper to provide a really effective and smooth running operation and therefore team work is a fundamental requirement for interested applicants.

The main duties for the couple will include, but are not limited to the following:

- Service and clean all areas of the main house, estate cottages and ancillary buildings per the proprietors specification. This will also include arranging additional cleaning help in the busier periods, which will need to be agreed with the Agent.

- Ensure all laundry and ironing is completed.

- Driving including chauffeuring of family members and paying guests in Estate vehicle(s).

- Vehicle care – working alongside the gamekeeper to ensure all estate vehicles and bicycles are in good working order, serviced, maintained and clean ready for use.

- Estate maintenance – responsible for the site wide appearance, gardening, making good and repairing areas in need and liaising with Contractors for bigger jobs. The Estates off-grid, solar and hydro plant room will require regular checks and troubleshooting where necessary.

- Ensuring all systems are in working order before guests arrived i.e. audio visual, heating, hot water and internet provisions etc.

- Front of House duties – assisting the family and guests during their stay. This will also require drinks and food service.

- Fulfil all reasonable requests from family and guests to ensure their comfort, satisfaction and safety.

- Check in regularly with the Estate Manager (Agent) and flag any health and safety concerns.

- Maintain personal knowledge by completing in-house training and workbooks.

- Adhere to Estate policies and procedures.

- Liaise with the owner’s Personal Assistant to coordinate stays and visits.

- Maintain the stocking levels of all consumables.

- Complete all periodical tasks i.e. flipping mattresses, cleaning curtains, dusting lampshades, cleaning windows, checking smoke detectors and CO alarms etc.

- Shopping and running errands.

- Flower arranging.

- Assisting with administrative duties.

- Maintain the security of the Estate.

The main requirements for the appointed candidates are:

- Be professional and courteous at all times

- Ability to cater for big parties if required although there is an expectation to utilise a chef already familiar with the estate and the client.

- Full and clean drivers licence for both.

- A dynamic, proactive, flexible, hard-working approach to the job.

- Communicate with all members of the Estate team (management, other staff members and contractors) to facilitate a good collaborative working environment.

- Previous experience in a comparable role.

- First Aid Training and good understanding and compliance with Health and Safety requirements.

Hours: 40 hours a week per person, however, the job will require flexible working with larger demands placed on times when the Lodge is occupied by the owner or paying guests.

Reporting To: The couple will report to Rebecca Kimber-Danger FAAV MRICS, Estate Manager/Factor.

Salary: Depending on experience.

Accommodation: A brand new cottage provided inclusive of council tax and water/sewerage but exclusive of internet and electricity.

Additional: contribution towards mobile phone bill and use of Estate vehicles permitted although the couple would be expected to have at least 1 private car between them.

Applicants can apply with CV and covering letter to aa@fowlerfortescue.co.uk