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Live, Work, Play Scotland

Live-in hotel & bar jobs in Scotland

Welcome to Live, Work, Play Scotland! We are thrilled to offer you the opportunity to secure a job with accommodation included at a luxurious 5-star hotel or a boutique bar, depending on your preference.

Whether you're looking for a quiet escape or an energizing city, Scotland has it all. The castles that dot the landscape are steeped in history and romance, making them the perfect backdrop for any adventure. Whether you're travelling solo or with friends, Scotland is the perfect place to try something new and create wonderful memories.

Program Perks

  • Experience Scotland
  • Participate in guest activities
  • Cheap staff housing
  • Ability to save for travel
  • Immersed in local community
  • Job Interview

Our Live Work Play Scotland Inclusions

Our employers

Our Job Opportunities

  • Bar Crew
  • Kitchen Crew
  • Hostel Receptionist
  • Kitchen Manager
  • Font of House
  • Housekeeping Crew
  • Night Porters
  • Chef
  • Bartender
  • Kitchen Hand
  • Housekeeping Crew
  • Bartender

Our Application Process

UK Youth Mobility Visa Eligibility

Aged 18 -35 years

From January 2024 age criteria will change from 30 years to 35 years

Hold a passport from an eligible, partnered country

(Australia, Canada, Japan, Monaco, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Republic of Korea, or Taiwan)

No criminal convictions

Have not had any criminal convictions in the last 12 months

Have No Dependants

(children or other)
under the age of 18

Proof of Funds

Have access to the equivalent of £2530GBP (i.e. in your bank account for at least 28 days)

No previous UK Visa

Must not have taken part in the Youth Mobility Scheme or travelled on a UK Working Holiday Visa

Frequently asked questions

To be eligible you must:
  • Be aged between 18 and 31 years.
  • Hold a passport from an eligible, partnered country (Australia, Canada, Japan, Monaco, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Republic of Korea, or Taiwan).
  • Have access to the equivalent of £2530 GBP (i.e. in your bank account for at least 28 days).
  • Have no dependants (children or others) under the age of 18.
  • Have not previously taken part in the Youth Mobility Scheme or travelled on a UK Working Holiday Visa.
  • Have not had any criminal convictions in the last 12 months.

  1. 1. Consultation call assessment + recommendations
  2. Your job preferences confirmed with UK partners
  3. Invoice & Complete terms & conditions
  4. Pay program deposit $399*
  5. Receive application pack
  6. Online Interview & job offer
  7. Pay Holding deposit for city rooms (MIN 6 WEEKS NOTICE TO GUARANTEE YOUR BED)
  8. Start visa application
  9. Order your SIM Card
  10. Open UK bank account
  11. Book Flights & insurance
  12. Fly to the UK

  • The UK Youth Mobility Visa allows you to work in England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland for a 2-year duration from the date you enter the United Kingdom.
  • You are permitted to leave and re-enter the UK any number of times within this period.
  • Processing times for the Visa can vary from 4-6 weeks so you will need to leave sufficient time to apply before your intended travel dates.
  • We recommend you apply at least 2 months before you intend to travel.
  • There is a fast-track service however the British High Commission charges an additional fee for this.
  • Once your Visa is granted, your passport will be returned to you with an entry clearance stamp for a 30-day duration, from the date you have chosen in your application.
  • You will then be required to enter the UK within this period and pick up what is called your Biometrics Residency Permit.

  • Your Visa Fees are payable to the British High Commission.
  • Immigration Healthcare Surcharge (IHS) £940 GBP.
  • Visa Application Fee £298 GBP.
  • Applications from Brisbane, Canberra, or Perth, will incur an additional fee of $105AUD to book your biometrics appointment.
  • If you choose to have your passport couriered then this will cost $24AUD. You can however opt to pick this up from your appointment location centre.
  • These fees are non-refundable if your application is unsuccessful.
  • In 2017 over 40% of first-time applicants were rejected because of simple omissions and commonly made mistakes.
  • Because the Visa application is entirely computer-processed, applications can be rejected for errors as small as an incorrect date on a bank statement.

This is why we recommend using our visa service and taking the stress away. Our professional licensed migration agents will help you every step of the way to ensure your application is approved the first time around. 100% first-time approval guaranteed, or you will receive a full refund.

If you do, you may be eligible for the UK Ancestry Visa! This visa allows you to live and work unrestricted in the UK for up to 5 years

Our Live, Work, Play Scotland program runs year-round so you can choose any week (except Christmas) that you’ll be arriving! You will want to plan on applying at least 6 months in advance to secure your spot. Of course, if you are leaving quite soon, we do have applicants pull out last minute or go travelling, so it’s always worth checking if we can fit you in.

Important: Keep in mind the Visa process will take approximately 4-8 weeks and you will need to be in your home country while applying for this.

Absolutely! If you have your heart set on a sail to Croatia or want to go backpacking in Asia for two months; we’ll make sure everything is organised before you leave, and everything is ready for when you get to Scotland.

It isn’t mandatory, but we certainly recommend it for everyone going over our programs. As part of your Visa fees, it will be £600 for your Immigration Healthcare Surcharge. This allows you access to the NHS and standard health coverage while you are in the United Kingdom on the Tier 5 Youth Mobility Visa. Like Medicare here in Australia, it covers some medical expenses and does not cover some others.

Here are some links that will help give you some more information;
www.gov.uk/healthcare-immigration-application/overview ;
www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/thenhs/about/Pages/overview.

Of course, you will only be covered while you are in the United Kingdom, so if you are at any point travelling to Europe or elsewhere, you will want to make sure you are covered for any accidents or emergencies. We partner with Allianz and Aussie Travel Cover to offer travel insurance at competitive rates for any of our participants heading over to the UK who require coverage.

To be eligible for the UK Youth Mobility Visa, you will need to be at least 18 years of age, or have applied by your 31st birthday. If you are currently 17, we may be able to start your application so that all your documents and paperwork are ready to submit once you turn 18.

In most cases, it won’t be a problem. As long as you are giving us a minimum of 30 days' notice, then we will be able to postpone your Live, Work, Play Scotland program until a later date. If your Visa has already been approved however, conditions then may apply.

5 Star Castle style hotel:

  • Job Type: Fulltime
  • Position: Front of House & Houskeeping
  • Pay: £11/hour
  • Location: Fort William
  • Experience: Preferred but not essential
  • Training: Provided.
  • 6 Months + Commitment required.
  • Dress code is very strict as it is a 5 star hotel.
  • Accommodation is off-site in housing with private bedrooms.
  • Free staff meals on and off duty.

Boutique Bar Job:

  • Job Type: Fulltime
  • Position: Bar and kitchen staff
  • Pay: £10.00-£12.00 per hour
  • Location: Fort William
  • Experience: Knowledge of Craft beer and a keen interest in organic produce would be desirable but not essential.
  • Training: Provided
  • Free shared staff accommodation is located within the building.
  • Staff discounts, training packages included.
  • Staff meals on shift and off-duty discounts are available to all staff.
  • A commitment to excellent customer service is a must for this role.

Live in Bar Job:

  • Job Type: Fulltime
  • Position: Front of House, Back of House, Bar Crew
  • Pay: Starting at £11 an hour + tips.
  • Location: Edinburgh
  • Experience: Previous bar experience is an asset, but not essential
  • Training: Full training is provided on arrival
  • Staff meal while working on shift
  • 50% off Food and Drink in all bars
  • 50% off accommodation worldwide
  • Industry-recognised training
  • Regular Incentives and Trips Away
  • Employee of the month & cash rewards

5 Star Hotel Job - Fort William

  • Staff accommodation is located off-site.
  • Rent is currently £34 per week.
  • Wifi, electricity, heating included
  • Meals on and off duty provided for free
  • Staff housing is all within a 15 min walk to the hotel
  • Various locations and sizes.
  • Some have private bathroom, some shared.
  • Some have a kitchen, most do not
  • All have private bedrooms.

Boutique Bar Job:

  • Free Shared dorm-room staff accommodation on-site.
  • Mixed dormitory style housing - you will be sharing a room with other staff members.
  • Shared bathroom, kitchen, and washing facilities.
  • Food on shift, and off-duty discounts are available to all staff.

Bar Job - Edinburgh:

  • Staff accommodation is located on-site.
  • Mixed dormitory style housing - you will be sharing a room with other staff members.
  • All bills and wifi are included in weekly rent
  • Staff meals are provided while on shift.
  • Staff members have their own bathroom separate from guests and rent is charged biweekly (aka every two weeks).
  • Rent is £105.70 biweekly – which works out to £211.40/month.
  • As a staff member, you’ll receive a 50% discount on food & drinks purchases at your bar (and at all other beds and bars locations too!)
  • Want to cook your own meals? you’ll also have access to the onsite kitchen – outside of rush hours!

UK Live Work Play program $1499 AUS (or $200 off if you complete the visa application yourself, not recommended)

Immigration Healthcare Surcharge (IHS) £940 GBP

Visa Application Fee £298 GBP

Savings of at least $5000 AUS

  1. Check into your London accommodation* straight from airport
  2. Collect Biometrics residence (BRP) card
  3. Do online checks for right to work + rent
  4. Apply for your NI number
  5. Attend job training induction + start work
  6. Contact us when you want to swap programs (UK Adventure Camps, UK Bed & Bars or UK Live-In Hotels)

Yes there is! We have an office in London and our support staff are always on-call to help you with any questions, concerns or if you are ready to change to another program such as our Adventure Camps.

Yes, you can. We understand moving to the other side of the world can be a little daunting, and we strive to ensue we give you and your friends/partners the best possible opportunity of working together. That is why, in your application, you can note who you will be travelling with. Ultimately the decision is the interviewers’, and we cannot guarantee you will both receive a job offer. Be be flexible with your job options, and we are confident we will be able to place you and your friends together. Be aware the larger the group of travellers, the greater the chance of someone not being offered a role. This was also applied to couples ‘ one is stronger than the other. There is always ‘one person’ in the group that isn’t as sharp or as focused. The interviewers have no qualms deciding who they offer roles to, and who they don’t. This is a brutal reality… The info here is to help prepare you.

General FAQ

  • A spectacular castle reflected in its own loch, and backed by Ben Nevis
  • A traditional Scottish luxury hotel nestled in a forest
  • A gourmet luxury and spa resort is on its own island, off the west coast of Scotland.
  • A castle which sits on the edge of the dramatic Firth of Forth sea inlet
  • A country lodge hotel situated just outside Fort Augustus
  • A Boutique bar on fort Williams Scottish highlands
  • Dishoom Restaurant in Edinburgh (note this is not a live-in position)

Full-time 4 months plus (6 months plus required for most locations)

Summer April - September

Winter - limited spots (not all locations are open in the winter)

  • Onsite or Offsite Accommodation
  • 4 -6 months minimum commitment
  • Free meals and discounted food
  • Employment training Staff
  • Great for friends, couples & singles
  • Start dates all year round

  • Live and work in castle
  • Live an work on island retreat
  • Live and work in village of Loch ness
  • Live and work in a bar Fort Williams

  • Indoor sports - Tennis, Squash,
  • Table Tennis, Badminton,
  • Bowling and Football
  • 150-yard rough driving range
  • Local golf courses
  • Island Nature walks
  • Falconry experience and Hawk walk
  • Sea kayaking
  • Sea fishing
  • River fishing - salmon & trout
  • Mountain biking
  • Stunning coastlines to explore
  • Highland walks

Work FAQ

Front of House & Housekeeping

Starting from £11 an hour plus tips

Yes, but you will need to apply within four weeks of your arrival date. Placement I'm not guaranteed, you must be successful with your interview.

To qualify for the live in Scotland Hotel Placements you will need to demonstrate previous work experience in hospitality or housekeeping. These positions are in high demand only experienced applicants will be considered. For those of you with no experience in hotel hospitality, who are keen to work in the Scottish highlands for a season, we recommend doing the jumpstart london hotel and events work. This will could be considered a sufficient experience to apply.

Housing FAQ

Luxury Hotels
  • All within a 15 min walk to the hotel.
  • Various locations, and sizes.
  • Some have private bathrooms, and some are shared.
  • Some have a kitchen, most do not. All private bedrooms.
  • £35 a week
Highland Pub Job
  • Accommodation is on-site
  • Shared Free dorm style housing
  • Inc bathroom, kitchen, & laundry

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