Riccardo Liguori Duties include managing the island, protecting wildlife and welcoming visitors. You can also apply as a couple. Here's how to do it (the 2025 selections have already closed but, in the meantime, you can start preparing for 2026)
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Imagine waking up every morning to the calming rhythm of waves crashing against the cliff, surrounded by pristine nature and complete serenity. That is your future if you opt to be the caretaker of Scotland’s Handa Island.
The Scottish Wildlife Trust, the organization responsible for the upkeep of the island, is seeking someone (or a couple) to care for this piece of natural paradise. The pay is a yearly stipend of $31,000, free housing, and a rather unique lifestyle.
Handa is a remote island on the west coast of Sutherland. It is a sanctuary for seabirds, with one of Europe’s largest breeding colonies. Its cliffs provide breathtaking views and the chance to spot whales, dolphins, and seals.
Why is Handa special?
Most importantly, its cliffs, which dramatically rise out of the Atlantic, are home to around 100,000 seabirds during the breeding season. Guillemots, razorbills, kittiwakes, and fulmars are just a few of the birds that nest on these cliff faces, creating an endless activity and a din of calls and sounds. You will be able to witness their everyday activities firsthand, from chick rearing to nesting, and even fending off predators like the great skua.
The island also offers stunning vistas of Scotland’s northwestern coastline, its typical Torridonian sandstone peaks. The vegetation is rich and varied, and the oceans around it are home to marine mammals including the common dolphin, Risso’s dolphin, minke whale, and basking sharks.
Handa is not just a birdwatcher’s haven. The island is also dotted with remnants of its past, with the remains of an old village and cemetery from when the island was still inhabited by humans in 1847.
To discover the island, a 3.7-mile circular path meanders through wooden boardwalks and grassy trails, providing panoramic views and the chance to get close to nature. It is essential to remain on the designated path, both for your own safety and to prevent disturbing the wildlife.
What does the Handa Island guardian do?
The tasks are diverse and include:
- Work organization: Organizing daily work, coordinating volunteers, and monitoring conservation projects.
- Wildlife conservation: Seabird colony monitoring, species census, and protection of the island’s ecosystem.
- Visitor management: Information provision to tourists, visitor center management, and island safety.
There are no qualifications required for the position, but a good knowledge of marine and terrestrial natural history would be an asset. A driving license and own transport are necessary to travel weekly into the coastal village of Scourie on the mainland to shop, bank, and do errands.
The biggest news this year is that couples may also apply jointly. It’s a good opportunity for people who would love to share this wonderful moment with a special person.
If you love nature, would love to live at some distance from city pressures, and are prepared to be a part of a fantastic adventure, this is the destination for you. To apply, you’ll need to wait until the end of 2025: applications for the seasonal position from March through to September have now closed. For more information, visit the Scottish Wildlife Trust website.
