About the Role
Speyside Veterinary Practice is seeking a Veterinary Surgeon to join its small animal team at the Fochabers clinic. This is a full-time or part-time role (up to 40 hours per week) with genuinely flexible working hours tailored to suit your lifestyle and career stage. The practice currently outsources out-of-hours care, so you won't be managing overnight rotas—allowing you to maintain real work-life balance.
You'll be working in a busy, well-equipped clinic handling a varied small animal caseload with strong opportunities to develop surgical skills, particularly in orthopaedics. The practice operates two sites (Fochabers and Aberlour), maintaining a balanced clinical mix of approximately 70% small animal, 15% farm, and 15% equine work—with flexibility to focus on your areas of interest.
Set in the heart of Speyside, Northeast Scotland, the location offers stunning natural beauty: bordered by the Cairngorm National Park and the Moray Firth coast, with excellent outdoor opportunities including skiing, hill walking, mountain biking, surfing, and paddleboarding. The local villages have excellent schools, and you're well connected to Elgin, Aberdeen, and Inverness for city amenities.
Key Responsibilities
- Deliver high-quality clinical care to small animal patients at the Fochabers clinic
- Perform routine and surgical procedures, with emphasis on in-house orthopaedic cases
- Work collaboratively with a team of 5 full-time equivalent vets, 5 registered veterinary nurses, and 1 student nurse
- Take ownership of cases while benefiting from the support and expertise of an approachable, knowledgeable team
- Contribute to a culture of professional development and continuous learning
- Participate in the practice's quality improvement and infection prevention initiatives
Requirements
- Qualified Veterinary Surgeon (MRCVS or equivalent)
- Experience in small animal practice (experience level not specified—all applications considered)
- A collaborative approach to teamwork and a willingness to support colleagues
- Interest in surgical work, particularly orthopaedics
- Flexibility regarding working patterns and species interests
Benefits
- Salary: Up to £70,000 DOE, plus relocation allowance up to £8,000
- Leave: 6.8 weeks annual leave inclusive of bank holidays, plus additional holiday entitlement for your birthday
- CPD & Development: £1,250 CPD allowance with 40 hours paid CPD leave (pro rata); certificate support; access to IVC Evidensia Academy; Vetlexicon online encyclopaedia; research funding opportunities for vets and nurses; £1,250 per annum via the Care Fund
- Professional Memberships: BVA membership, VDS cover, and RCVS fees covered
- Wellbeing: Private Medical Insurance; Employee Assistance Programme (24/7 confidential helpline); enhanced family-friendly policies including maternity, paternity, adoption, shared parental, and surrogacy pay; colleague wellbeing initiatives
- Pension: Company pension scheme with employer contribution
- Additional Benefits: Cycle to Work scheme and Green Cars Scheme (subject to eligibility); voluntary benefits; discounts and cashback with hundreds of retailers; discounted treatment for your own pets at IVC Evidensia practices; infection prevention and control programme; quality improvement programme
About the Practice
Speyside Veterinary Practice is a modern, fully equipped mixed practice operating two clinics in Fochabers and Aberlour across the Moray area. The practice is part of IVC Evidensia. Speyside maintains a balanced caseload across small animal, equine, and farm animal work, providing routine and emergency care throughout the region.
The team is made up of 5 full-time equivalent vets, 5 registered veterinary nurses, 1 student nurse, a practice manager, and 5 support staff. The practice is known for its collaborative culture, strong nursing and support team, and commitment to professional development and work-life balance. Both clinics are modern, well-resourced, and serve a loyal client base that values continuity and quality of care.
