Wanted: Cornish castle caretaker

Pizzas off the menu in castle job - 24th May 2021

Located off the south-western county of Cornwall, an English castle atop a rugged island has recently posted a one-off job vacancy. The only catch is that the successful applicant will have to get by without takeaway food.

A castle officer is being sought after to act as custodian to the historic isle of St. Michael's Mount, a tiny atoll just off the coast of Cornwall. The newly appointed officer must be willing to live-in at least five nights a week and prepared to adopt a "hands-on approach" to the safe and continued upkeep of the estate.

The fortress itself, dating back to 1135, stands just under half a kilometre from the mainland and is accessible by sea. A causeway exists but is only serviceable at low tide so consequently, this post is best suited to those with robust sea legs.

"The best thing about living here is having a sea view from every window.", elaborated castle steward Duncan Murdoch. "The worst thing is not being able to get a pizza delivered to your door."

Hence, interested parties attracted by panoramic vistas yet unperturbed by either the prospect of seclusion or by the lack of a regular fix of takeaways might be looking at their idyllic position.

Although the supervision of this minute isle is shared by both the National Trust and the St Aubyn Estates, the St Aubyn family have occupied the castle for hundreds of years and still reside there to this day.

The estate is searching for someone discreet and compassionate, with a tactful demeanour, while additional responsibilities necessitate a proactive attitude with regard to safeguarding the island environment. The chosen successful candidate will also be duty bound to inspect those chambers frequented by day-trippers as evening falls.

St Michael's Mount is thus named to commemorate a supposed visitation to the island from the eponymous saint before a band of fishermen in 495 AD. Benedictine monks later established a priory some 600 years later and the earliest buildings still standing today date from that period.