Freelance Consultant at Cruck Cottage Heritage

Working Hours: N/A
Contract: N/A
Salary: £4,500 for contract
Location: Online with ocasional travel to Dumfries
Closing date: 29/05/2026

About the Role

Cruck Cottage is seeking a creative and motivated freelance professional to support an exciting new phase in the development of this unique heritage site. Located in Torthorwald, Dumfriesshire, and recognised as a Category A listed building, Cruck Cottage is the last surviving example of a traditional thatched rural home in South West Scotland.

This freelance opportunity will play a key role in shaping how the cottage responds to the climate and biodiversity crises, using its historic setting and new facilities to inspire environmental awareness and community engagement. Funded by Museums Galleries Scotland through the Museum Futures: Unlocking Your Potential programme, the project includes both the construction of a small facilities block and the development of an environmental sustainability programme.

The successful candidate will work primarily online between July and December 2026 (with at least one in-person site visit), and will receive a fee of £4,500 (inclusive of VAT and expenses).

The role involves exploring innovative approaches to sustainable building management and climate adaptation, while helping to connect environmental themes to the story of the cottage and its surrounding landscape. You will develop ideas for how the site can be interpreted in ways that engage visitors and local communities, both through general visits and organised activities.

A key part of the work will be identifying and building relationships with potential partners, groups, and organisations that could contribute to or benefit from the site’s environmental programme. This includes exploring opportunities for collaboration, shared use of the space, and community-led initiatives.

The freelancer will also assess potential funding streams and income-generating opportunities linked to these programmes, as well as propose effective strategies for marketing and promotion. Finally, you will design an evaluation framework to measure the impact and success of the programme.

This is a unique opportunity to contribute to a forward-looking heritage project, combining creativity, sustainability, and community engagement to help future-proof an important historic site.

How to Apply

For more information and to apply please contact Sue Hughes, cruckcott@btinternet.com by 5.30pm on 29 May 2026.