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A school with 7 students on a tiny, remote Scottish island is looking for a new teacher

Will Heilpern,Will Heilpern   

A school with 7 students on a tiny, remote Scottish island is looking for a new teacher
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Port Mor Muck island

David Crocker / Wikimedia Commons

The Isle of Muck is the smallest of the four islands that make up the Small Isles.

With a population of around 40, the Isle of Muck, Scotland, is not exactly bursting with career opportunities.

However, a position has become available at the island's school that would be ideal for an over-stressed teacher looking for a break.

The teaching role at Muck Primary School - which is open for applications on "My Jobs Scotland" until midnight today (August 22) - is unlikely to be overly demanding, given that it has just seven pupils.

The job comes with several perks, including a three-bedroom flat located above the school, a "Remote School Allowance" of £2,475, and a "Distant Islands Allowance" of £1,941, on top of an annual salary between £22,416 and £35,763.

But life at Muck Primary School has its own challenges: there is no supermarket, post office, or GP on the island, and it becomes completely cut off from the mainland in the winter.

"The island is ideal for nature lovers with many species of birds, including corncrakes and puffins and other resident animals such as otters and seals," according to the job advert posted online.

It added: "The community is renowned for its hospitality, and puts on many events during the year in the Community Hall."

The 2.5 mile-long island is only reachable by ferry.

isle of muck

Google Maps

The island is so small you can see all of it from a distance.

Isle of Muck

Chris Downer / Wikimedia Commons

The entirety of the Isle of Muck, viewed from neighbouring Eigg.

The job is open to any primary teacher who is registered with the General Teaching Council for Scotland.

The successful applicant will replace Julie Baker, who has decided to leave the role to move to the mainland.

"I have been very fortunate to be the teacher at Muck primary school for the last two and a half years but we are sadly leaving for family reasons. It is a wonderful place to teach and live," Baker told The Times.

"It is a very special teaching job. There is a three-bedroom flat for the teacher and their family above the school, which makes it the shortest commute ever! The flat has stunning views across the sea to Ardnamurchan Point," she said.

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