Comments from Previous Trainees

Many of our trainees have gone on to successful horticultural careers at prestigious gardens around the country, including a number of National Trust for Scotland (NTS) properties.

Here are just a few comments from previous trainees:

“I served an apprenticeship with The MacRobert Trust from 1994 – 1998. The high quality of tuition I received from the staff gave me the confidence in the skills I learned to make a full time career in horticulture. The level of professionalism and enthusiasm that was passed on to me has led to 17 years in horticulture. I am now a 1st gardener, assisting in all levels of management at the National Trust for Scotland’s Inverewe gardens. None of this would have been possible without the input I received as an apprentice with The MacRobert Trust.”
James Hannaford – Trainee 1994 – 1998

“My training in the diverse gardens of The MacRobert Trust provided me with an excellent range of practical craft gardener skills, to develop a second and new career in horticulture. As a career student gardener, The Trust offered me a wonderful opportunity of comprehensive tuition and experience gained working alongside knowledgeable, professional gardeners in their organic walled kitchen garden, display and working greenhouses, propagation, formal lawns, machinery, extensive borders, woodland and streamside gardens. With the basis of this training, I was able a few years later to gain a post in one of Britain’s most renowned and influential gardens. I consider myself extremely fortunate to have trained at The MacRobert Trust; I thoroughly enjoyed every day of it and would have no hesitation in doing it all again!”
Neil Bradfield – Trainee 2006 – 2007

“I really enjoyed working with The MacRobert Trust as a trainee and learned lots about gardening and garden machinery by being involved in so many different jobs being carried out every day. The staff were all really helpful and I felt a part of the team really quickly. Because I passed my SVQ level 3 in the first year I was really pleased to be accepted for a second year to put my SVQ knowledge into practice. With all the training, experience and qualifications I obtained, I am now working as second in charge of the Estates Department at Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen, maintaining all of the university gardens and grounds.”
Kathryn Baird – Trainee 2009 – 2011

“During my time on the Horticultural Training Scheme at Douneside, I gained vast, essential work experience in wonderful surroundings in the heart of Royal Deeside. The great benefit was working and learning in everyday ‘on the job’ situations. The knowledge passed down from the friendly, experienced staff was extensive, and I also gained useful qualifications and training such as my SVQ Level 3 and pesticide and chainsaw certificates. Everything I learned and gained from my time at The MacRobert Trust is now vital for my career in the horticultural industry, and was instrumental in enabling me to secure a one-year placement with Rural Exchange New Zealand (RENZ) before going on to gain employment as a full time gardener at Oatridge College, Ecclesmachan. Overall, the Training Scheme at The Trust had a huge part to play in giving me a head start in the horticultural sector.” Grant Nichol – Trainee 2009 – 2010

“Just before finishing a two-year course at Brooksby Melton College, I applied for a number of gardening vacancies. Even although I gained a National Diploma with distinction, all of the jobs required practical experience. My year as a trainee with The MacRobert Trust has given me a huge amount of real hands-on know how as well as my pesticide and chainsaw certificate and the experience I needed to progress in my career in gardening.”
Meriel Kenchington – Trainee 2010 – 11

“I very much enjoyed the year I spent with The MacRobert Trust on the Horticultural Training Scheme. The gardens that trainees are taught in offer unique training,not only for North East, but I would say in Scotland as a whole. Having previously been an Apprentice Gardener, I can say with confidence that learning and work experience with The MacRobert Trust is superior. Not only does the training cover many aspects of horticulture, it starts from day one meaning trainees cover, over the year, a full cycle in the maintenance and development of a garden. This was a vital experience in furthering my career. During my year I achieved SVQ level 3 certificate in horticulture. I was also given guidance in finding further placements and I amazed myself in getting a number of interviews with high profile gardens in the South of England. I have no doubt that this was down to the training, reputation and direction giving to me by the team at The MacRobert Trust. My year on the scheme was very interesting and enjoyable, and if I was starting out in horticulture again, I would definitely be aiming for Douneside.”

Magnus Stout – Trainee – 2011 – 2012

If you would like to apply for a place on the Horticultural Training Scheme, please read the guidelines carefully before filling in the application form.