Volunteering on Handa

A unique volunteering experience

With almost 100,000 breeding seabirds (including puffins), gorgeous white sand, 400 ft cliffs and spectacular vistas, Handa really has something for everyone. Enjoying it for a day as a tourist is special, but to stay on Handa is an unforgettable, magical experience.
A superb team of volunteers and researchers means that there is always a friendly face and good banter at the bothy, but there are also thousands of undisturbed, tranquil spots for relaxing amid stunning views and abundant wildlife.

Weekly volunteering on Handa

The Scottish Wildlife Trust relies on its weekly volunteers to meet and greet all day visitors to Handa, providing a safe landing and vital information to the tourists. An enjoyable and fulfilling role, many of our weekly volunteers return every summer to lend a hand, while we welcome large numbers of new volunteers each year.
Volunteering on Handa is not just for those wanting experience in conservation, either. Every year we welcome over 50 volunteers of all ages and nationalities, from all walks of life.
We only ask that all applicants are over 18, have good spoken English, and have a good level of health and fitness. Being able to live in a basic, mixed-sex bothy is also essential! Applications from couples or friends are welcome too and applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
Please read the Essential information for weekly Handa volunteers and Health and safety for volunteers documents before completing an application form.

Long-term volunteering placements on Handa for 2012

There are five long-term placements available on Handa Island in 2012. Each role is different, so please see the individual role descriptions for a breakdown of the individual duties. Each placement has a specific focus, but all of the roles will be varied and will include elements of practical work, biological monitoring and communicating with the public.
Placements on Handa are widely recognised as important field experience and provide excellent networking opportunities with Trust and RSPB staff, several seabird researchers and academics. Many former volunteers have gone on to warden Handa and other reserves, and the majority are now employed full-time within the conservation or academic sectors.
Below is a list of the five long-term volunteering vacancies on Handa for 2012. Anyone interested needs to carefully read the Essential information for long-term Handa volunteers and Health and safety for volunteers documents as well as the individual role descriptions before applying.
Click here to download an application form.

Practical volunteer (start of season)

Date of placement: from Mon 2 Apr to Sat 19 May
Deadline for completed applications: Fri 9 Mar
Click here for the Practical volunteer role description

Seabird Monitoring volunteer 

Date of placement: from Sat 19 May to Sat 14 Jul
Deadline for completed applications: Fri 20 Apr
Click here for the Seabird Monitoring volunteer role description

Skua Fieldwork volunteer

Date of placement: from Fri 25 May to Sat 25 Aug
Deadline for completed applications: Fri 20 Apr
Click here for the Skua Fieldwork volunteer role description

Information Assistant volunteer

Date of placement: from Sat 16 Jun to Sat 14 Jul
Deadline for completed applications: Fri 20 Apr
Click here for the Information Assistant volunteer role description

Practical volunteer (end of season)

Date of placement: from Sat 14 Jul to Fri 31 Aug
Deadline for completed applications: Fri 20 Apr
Click here for the Practical volunteer role description

Further information

For more details about life on Handa and the various volunteering roles available, please contact Phil Knott, Reserves Assistant for the Scottish Wildlife Trust (and former Handa Ranger) by e-mailing handaranger@swt.org.uk. Alternatively, you can phone 07920 468 572.