Guide

Starting salary: £25,770
Contract type: Seasonal
Grade: 1
Location: Edinburgh Castle
Working Hours: 5 out of 7, 35 hours per week (includes weekend working)
Interviews: To be held in person at Edinburgh Castle on week commencing 26th January/week commencing the 2nd February

Are you looking for a seasonal job that is both fun and unique? You'll get an insight into Scotland's rich history, gain valuable experience in the tourism industry and help bring Scotland's dramatic history to life for our visitors from across the world. Explore the fascinating stories from Scotland's past and share your passion with international and local visitors who come to Edinburgh Castle during the season

Our castle guides are the connection between the castle's history, our visitors and the castle's future. We educate and provide information to enhance the visitors experience, helping them to make the most of their visit to the castle.

Having dominated the Edinburgh skyline for over 3,000 years, Edinburgh Castle is steeped in history, having served as a royal residence, military garrison, prison, fortress, and still serves as the home of the Honours of Scotland.

For more information about the post and information about the team, please access the full job description for this post 224 - Seasonal Castle Guide .pdf. Please note that if you don't have Office 365 installed on your device, this can be opened using your browser.

Benefits of joining us at Historic Environment Scotland

• Enrolment onto a Civil Service Pension scheme – 28% employer contribution
• 25 days annual leave, pro-rata (increasing to 30 days after 3 years public holidays
• Reimbursement for relevant professional subscriptions
• Support for further education and personal development
• Study leave for work related courses
• Flexible working hours (where appropriate)
• Free entry to all of our properties (with up to three guests)
• Free entry to English Heritage, Manx and Cadw properties

Key Responsibilities of this role

• Provide the warmest welcome, assistance and information to our visitors and engage proactively with customer service to maximise visitor experience.

• Engage with visitors who may require use of wheelchairs, lifts or the mobility vehicle.

• Develop knowledge of the castle's history and share this with visitors.

• Once training has been undertaken, be able to provide entertaining and informative guided tours.

• Ensure a high standard of presentation throughout the site, following appropriate cleaning processes in both public and staff areas. 

• Support the team in achievement of quality assurance Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). 

• Actively support HES seminars, events, functions and promotions.

• Proactively communicate with colleagues across the site to ensure high performance, standards and consistency. 

• Assist with procedures such as ensuring signposting for visitors, setting up barriers and crowd control on ceremonial occasions.

• Working together with your Castle Team to achieve overall commercial performance targets.

• Assist with functions out with the Castle opening hours, such as escorting guests to their venue and signposting to areas where necessary.

• Ensure the security of the site, buildings and contents, including acting as key holder (where required).

• Ensure that the health and safety of staff, visitors and contractors is paramount at all times and follow correct procedures to ensure safe operation of any equipment.

Key requirements of the role:

In order for you to be successful in this post, we will be looking for you to complete a cover letter which addresses:

1. Why you are interested in the post with Historic Environment Scotland

2. How you can meet each of the essential and desirable criteria (in up to 800 words), using examples of where you have used these skills in the past.

Please ensure that you provide real life examples for each of the criteria to be considered for this post. You can use examples of how you have met this criteria from your work life, home life, education or volunteer experience. Please read our CV and Cover Letter Guidance first before completing, as you will only be eligible for selection if you use examples of how you meet the essential and desirable criteria.

Essential Criteria:

• Experience delivering high standards of customer service in a fast-paced environment.

• A genuine interest in working in the heritage tourism industry.

• Ability to work independently at times. 

• Excellent team working skills.

• Interest in and knowledge of Scottish history.

Find out more about desirable skills and experience in our full job description 224 - Seasonal Castle Guide .pdf.

We are dedicated to building a workforce which is reflective of diversity within Scotland. We warmly welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds, regardless of age, race, gender or gender identity, religious beliefs, marital status, sexual orientation, disability, or neurodiversity. In support of our Gaelic Language Plan, we welcome applications from Gaelic speakers.

We want every candidate to have the best chance to succeed during the recruitment process. If you require your application in an alternative format, please reach out to us via email at  or call our Head Office at and speak to a member of our People Team.

Please note that, at this time, we are unfortunately unable to provide sponsorship as part of the recruitment process, therefore you must have current right to work in the UK to be considered for a post.

To submit your application online, please read our 'How to Apply' section followed by 'Apply Now' button to begin your application.