​Applicants have until this Friday (27 October) to apply

For many Scotland’s islands are peerless, containing some of the most beautiful and iconic scenery on the planet.

From St Kilda, the UK’s only dual Unesco World Heritage Site, to Staffa, the national nature reserve in the Inner Hebrides, Scotland’s isles are regarded up there with the world’s leading natural wonders.

Now one lucky person could live the dream - and get paid handsomely for the privilege - after the National Trust for Scotland advertised for an operations manager charged with looking after them.

The conservation charity said it was looking for someone with project management experience and who was passionate about the country’s natural heritage.

Salary will be £40,645 and successful applicants will travel frequently but irregulary, says the trust, with the postholder expected to have a head for heights as well a strong stomach for sea journeys.

Knowledge of islands would naturally also be advantageous says Dominic Driver, the head of natural heritage at the NTS.

He explained: “The position really has an emotional connection to the islands and to the communities who live and make a living there.

“It’s also a highly professional role which needs someone who is financially astute and excels at project management.

“We want to enable the people who live in places like Fair Isle and Canna to develop their own communities, that’s the 21st century way of doing things – the best way of doing things.”

Five people have so far expressed an interest in the job, but with applications being accepted until Friday, the trust is hopeful of hearing from more candidates.