Caledonian Discovery offers cruising holidays with outdoor activities along the Great Glen in the Scottish Highlands, aboard our two converted Dutch barges, Fingal and Ros Crana.

We are looking for a Cook to join our team for the Summer 2024 season. The job is full-time and live-aboard during the working weeks.

This is an interesting life with a variety of people of all ages coming on the boats. We look for sociable crew who will enjoy the boat lifestyle, the inspirational surroundings and being part of a fun and enthusiastic team in a unique, wonderful environment. We enjoy a quality of life envied by many who come across us.

The Job

The Cook is responsible for catering for all the guests and crew aboard their barge. This is usually around 16 people, but on rare occasions can be up to 18 people. We offer a set-menu each day, starting with a breakfast of porridge, fresh fruit, cereals, yoghurt, and a couple of cooked elements. Lunch usually includes homemade bread and soup with salads or another freshly prepared dish. Dinner is two courses, main and dessert, with two choices for the main course, one of which is usually vegetarian. We also like to offer an afternoon snack on most days, usually a cake or some other home-baking.

The nature of the work is hugely varied so you may be called on to do anything that’s needed to run the holidays! For all crew this includes driving the barge on open water, deck work, maintenance of vessel and equipment, cleaning, shopping, chatting with the guests, helping at mealtimes, etc.

The Person

We are looking for someone with a friendly, outgoing nature with guests and crew alike. Professional catering experience is essential, including excellent culinary skills, but boat experience is not necessary. Successful applicants will also be dedicated, hardworking and have an organised approach to the job, both in the galley and with other areas of responsibility. A full driving licence is an advantage but not essential.

The Season

All of our seasonal crew work on a general rotation of 4 weeks on followed by 2 weeks off or 3 weeks on followed by a week off. The exact rotation may vary and might include additional weeks off or shorter stints on the barge, subject to the requirements of crewing the barges, but each stint of 4 weeks will always be followed by at least 2 weeks off, and each stint of 3 weeks will be followed by at least 1 week off. This allows for plenty of time for the crew to recuperate and hopefully gives enough time for them to follow their other summer-time passions and interests.

During the working weeks aboard the barges, crew are required to live aboard with food and accommodation provided. With no live-in deductions there are no further outgoings necessary except for personal spending.

Working hours while on board are typical for a charter boat. The crew work from 11am on Saturday to about 2pm on Friday. This makes the working weeks quite full-on, but we think that the number of weeks off makes for a good work-life balance.

What you get

£780 - £975 per work week

Accommodation and food during working weeks

Plenty of time off to pursue your summer passions

Great work-life balance

A beautiful and unique working environment