Estate Manager & Gamekeeper - Ref 1891 Date: August 19, 2026

Job Vacancy: Estate Manager & Gamekeeper

Location: Invermarkie Estate, Aberdeenshire, Scotland

Position: Full-Time, Permanent

Salary: Competitive (Dependent on experience) + Tied Accommodation & Package

Reporting To: Estate Owners

About Invermarkie Estate

Invermarkie Estate is an attractive, diverse estate situated in Aberdeenshire. Spanning agricultural holdings, forestry, river frontage, and a growing portfolio of high-end short-term holiday accommodation, the estate maintains a strong commitment to traditional field sports alongside sustainable land management and premium rural hospitality.

We are seeking an enthusiastic, highly self-motivated, and professional Estate Manager & Gamekeeper to take on the management of the estate. You will oversee day-to-day estate operations, lead wildlife and land management activities, maintain high-end holiday let properties alongside our Holiday Let & Hospitality Manager, and deliver an exceptional experience for staying guests and sporting visitors.

Role Overview

This combined role demands a unique balance of practical estate management and gamekeeping expertise with administrative competence. The successful candidate will be fully responsible for property maintenance, overseeing estate contractors, driven & walked-up game bird management, predator and pest control, deer management, compliance, and shoot-day logistics.

Key Responsibilities

1. Estate Management & Administration

• Property & Infrastructure Maintenance: Perform and oversee maintenance across all estate properties, project work, tracks, fencing, game pens, bridges, and boundary structures.
• Contractor & Staff Oversight: Arrange seasonal staff and manage external contractors (building repairs, agricultural, forestry).
• Budgeting & Compliance: Maintain day-to-day operational budgets, keep detailed records of property and machinery maintenance logs.

Game & Wildlife Management

• Game Bird Management: Release pheasant, partridge and duck stock (c.5,000 birds) maintain feeding stations, and prevent disease or predation.
• Deer Stalking & Control: Manage red and roe deer populations, maintaining accurate records, carcase handling hygiene.
• Pest & Predator Control: Implement lawful, humane pest control measures (foxes, corvids, rodent control) in strict alignment with Scottish wildlife legislation and SGA best practice guidelines.
• Sporting & Event Logistics: Organise, host, and run estate driven shoot days (c.12 per annum 100-150 bird days), walked-up shooting, and occasional stalking outings for owners, family, and let guests, organising ghillie for fishing, supervising beaters, pickers-up, and ensuring absolute safety standards.

Candidate Profile & Requirements

Essential Experience & Qualifications

• Experience: Proven experience in a single-handed or head gamekeeper / estate supervisor role.
• Certificates & Licenses:
  • Valid UK Firearms & Shotgun Certificates.
  • Full, clean UK Driving Licence.
  • DSC1 (Deer Stalking Certificate Level 1) — DSC2 highly desirable.
  • Trained Food Handler / Game Meat Hygiene Certificate.
  • Tractor / Quad Bike Certificates.
  • Chainsaw Certificate (CS30 / CS31 or equivalent) for routine tree maintenance.
• Qualifications: SVQ/NC/HNC in Gamekeeping & Wildlife Management or Countryside Management (or equivalent practical experience).

Personal Attributes

• High standard of personal integrity, discretion, and diplomatic communication skills when interacting with guests, landowners, and the public.
• Strong mechanical aptitude with hands-on skills in general maintenance, machinery and fencing.
• Self-reliant with the physical fitness and resilience required to work in demanding weather conditions and flexible seasonal hours.
• Working gun dogs fully trained.

Remuneration & Benefits Package

• Salary: Competitive with bonus, commensurate with experience.
• Accommodation: High-quality, modern, tied 3-bedroom estate cottage provided free of rent, situated on the estate with private garden and kennels.
• Vehicle: Dedicated estate 4x4 / pickup provided for official duties.
• Allowances: Dog allowance, essential safety gear/clothing allowance, council tax and home heating.
• Pension: Enrolment into the estate workplace pension scheme.

This position would suit a couple or family. A separate part-time role is available for a partner interested in housekeeping of the holiday cottages, and applications from couples are welcome. Please indicate in your application if this is of interest.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should send a comprehensive CV, covering letter detailing relevant sporting and estate management background, and contact details for two professional referees to:

Email: scott.harvey@invermarkie.com

Or by post to: Invermarkie Lodge, Glass, Huntly, Aberdeenshire AB54 4XY

Telephone enquiries: +44 (0)7977 234 998