Looking for a role that blends clinical work with real quality of life in one of Scotland’s most beautiful rural settings? Join our friendly, independent mixed practice in the heart of Dumfries and Galloway—where there’s room to grow, space to breathe, and time to do things properly.
Make your application after reading the following skill and qualification requirements for this position.
About Us
Galloway Vets has a proud heritage, with roots going all the way back to 1867 when one of the first Glasgow veterinary graduates made this corner of Scotland home. Over 150 years later, we’re still here—evolving and growing—but with our independence, values, and commitment to honest, dependable care, stronger than ever. We’ve had a few name changes along the way, but our ethos remains the same: build lasting relationships and be a trusted part of the local community.
We’ve been based at our current site in Kirkcudbright since the early 80s (before that, like all good country practices, we worked out of the vet’s house!). Today, we’re a 7-vet mixed team, supported by two RVNs, an ACA, a vet tech, a practice manager and a fantastic support team of receptionists and admin staff. We’re the only vets in town, and we're proud of the quality of care we provide to our community.
Our vets are a mix of experience levels, and most joined us as new graduates and have stayed. We all muck in and support each other—whether it’s swapping nights on call, lending a hand with a tricky case, or just making sure no one misses out on a brew when it’s needed most.
One of the things we pride ourselves on is recognising each team member’s strengths and interests—and giving them the freedom to shape their role around what they love. Whether it’s surgery, herd health, diagnostics, or something a bit different, we’ll support you in developing those passions and are happy to fund certificates or CPD if it brings value to you and the practice. One of our vets is currently working towards a CertAVP in cattle, and another has trained in acupuncture.
Our Work
We are a mixed practice—around 70% of our work involves farm animals (predominantly dairy), and 30% companion animals, with a minimal number of equine clients. Dumfries and Galloway is home to more than half of Scotland’s dairy cattle, and we look after the majority of them (around 11,000 all within 20 minutes of the practice). Our clients value a vet who knows them, their animals, and how they prefer things to be done. That same approach carries through to our small animal work—clients who have trusted us for generations, and the satisfaction that comes from being a steady, familiar presence in their lives. We’re not chasing KPIs. We’re doing good work for people who genuinely appreciate it.
We work hard to keep our kit up to date. On the small animal side, we’ve got all the usuals—digital x-ray, ultrasound, in-house lab. On the farm side, we’re fully equipped with portable scanners, crushes and all the essentials to support our daily work. We also have a vet tech and nurses who support our farm clients with on-site sampling, routine monitoring and calf health.
The Role
We’re looking for a mixed vet with some experience to join our friendly team. You might be an experienced vet ready to settle into a welcoming community and shape your role around your interests, or maybe you’re earlier in your career, looking for the space and support to grow. Our setup allows flexibility—if you’d prefer more farm than small, or the other way round, we can make that work. You’ll need to be happy being part of an on-call rota, but otherwise, we’re a small enough team to adapt and big enough to support one another when needed.
Our working hours are generally 8.30 am to 6 pm, four and a half days a week. Days typically start either out on farm visits or in the practice, consulting or operating on the small animal side. We aim for a balanced mix of work across the week, but there’s always flexibility and a team-first attitude when the diary gets busy. Our out-of-hours rota is very manageable—1 in 6 weekends and one weekday night each week (with flexibility to swap shifts when needed and support in place). When you work a weekend, you’ll get the following Friday off in addition to your half day.
What We Offer
* Salary from £35,000 to £70,000, depending on experience
* Vehicle and accommodation available
* 28 days holiday
* CPD encouraged, with certificates supported
* Professional fees paid (RCVS, VDS, BVA, plus one of your choice)
* Staff discounts and employee perks scheme
* Freedom to follow your clinical passions
* A role in a team that genuinely cares about what we do
Life Outside of Work
Kirkcudbright (pronounced kir – coo – bree ) is a busy, vibrant harbour town, often described as Scotland’s Artists’ Town. Whether you’re into wild hikes, beach walks, cycling, kayaking, or gallery hopping, there’s something for everyone here.
The Galloway Forest and Southern Uplands are on our doorstep. We’ve got world-class mountain bike trails, scenic gravel and road cycling routes, and a rich arts and cultural calendar, with everything from Thursday night pipe bands to a massive summer arts trail. There’s also great schooling locally, and a welcoming community atmosphere.
Sound Like a Good Fit?
We’d love to hear from you. Give us a call for an informal chat, or apply now.