News & Blog

Meet the team – Nicola Ainslie – Business Development Branch Manager – Edinburgh Describe your role in one sentence at Cairn? As the Business Development and Edinburgh Branch Manager at Cairn, I oversee operations, drive growth, and build strong relationships to ensure the success of our letting and management services. What’s the best thing about working at Cairn? The people! From day one, I felt like I had been here for years—a credit to the team’s warm welcome and the company culture that makes coming to work so enjoyable. What is your proudest business achievement/moment? With 27 years in the property industry, I’ve had many proud moments, but stepping into my role at Cairn and feeling like part of the team so quickly is a big one. It’s a testament to finding the right fit in both culture and career. What is the best piece of business advice you have been given? You don’t know it all—listen to those around you, especially those with knowledge and experience. Give us an interesting fact about yourself? I’m a dedicated football mum, and no matter how many games I watch, I’ll never get tired of standing on the sidelines cheering my kids on. What advice would you give your 18-year-old self? You don’t know everything—listen to others, especially your mum! Who are your heroes inside or outside of business? My mum—she always gave great advice (even when I didn’t listen). What qualities do you most admire in others? A positive attitude can be contagious, uplifting and create an environment where innovation thrives. A willingness to learn, improve, and embrace new challenges is essential for long-term success. How do you unwind out of work? Watching my kids play football, spending time with family, and enjoying the friendly football rivalry at home as I support a different club to my husband and kids. Favourite book and film? Even after all these years, Dirty Dancing is still my go-to movie. Where is your favourite place in Scotland? Any football pitch where my kids are playing—that’s where I’m happiest!

Staff, Careers, Glasgow, Meet The Team, News, Property Careers, Property Finance

Meet the Team – Gillian Docherty, Finance Assistant

Meet the Team – Gillian Docherty, Finance Assistant Describe your role in one sentence at Cairn? As Finance Assistant, I work alongside the Finance Manager and Finance Director, maintaining accurate tenant and landlord accounts, invoicing and payments. Helping with month end/quarter end and reconciliations. What’s the best thing about working at Cairn? The Team, everyone is so welcoming, enthusiastic, great to work with and extremely knowledgeable in their field. What is your proudest business achievement/moment? My proudest business moment would probably be achieving my AAT Level 3 Diploma in Accounting, I am keen to progress further and obtain the final Level 4. This was challenging to do whilst working full time with a young child but I did it. What is the best piece of business advice you have been given? Ask for help when needed, you’re not helping anyone by sitting unsure. Give us an interesting fact about yourself? I decided to join a charity Great Wall of China Trek myself in aid of Clic Seargent Cancer. This was daunting for me to do as I didn’t know anyone and travelled across to China myself but I have made friends for life and gained so much from this experience. What advice would you give your 18-year-old self? Stick in and focus, it will help you in years to come Who are your heroes inside or outside of business? Not anyone in particular, but someone who strives to do their best and haspassion in their life. What qualities do you most admire in others? Trust, honesty and a hard worker How do you unwind out of work? Binge watching tv series or spending time with my family and son Favourite book and film? Book: Schindler’s Ark by Thomas Keneally Film: The Labyrinth Where is your favourite place in Scotland? St. Andrews, I love the town’s atmosphere and sea air. The restaurants, bars and cafes along with quirky little gift shops are great too!

Staff, AirBNB, Careers, Landlords, Meet The Team, News, Property Careers

Meet the Team – Suzanne Hatley, Short Term Lets Manager

Meet the Team – Suzanne Hatley, Short Term Lets Manager My role as Short Term Let Manager consists of overseeing the day-to-day operations ensuring our guests have an enjoyable and memorable stay, maintaining our high standards along with maximising revenue. What’s the best thing about working at Cairn? The most rewarding aspect of working for Cairn BnB is the satisfaction of happy guests and the varied responsibilities my role brings. No two days are ever the same. What is your proudest business achievement/moment? Hearing how we have gone above and beyond for our guests in our reviews is a proud moment for both me and the Cairn BnB team who work hard to ensure all our guests receive our 5-star service. What is the best piece of business advice you have been given? Treat others as you would like to be treated in business and everyday life and learn from your mistakes. Give us an interesting fact about yourself? I am an avid snooker fan. Top of my bucket list would be tickets for The World Championship watching Ronnie O’Sullivan win another. What advice would you give your 18-year-old self? Listen to your mother and believe in yourself. Who are your heroes inside or outside of business? My hero has to be my mum, Lorraine. She is the most kind, compassionate, brave and selfless person I know. What qualities do you most admire in others? Honesty and Loyalty. How do you unwind out of work? My time outside of work is spent with my 9-year-old son Robbie and my 5-year-old daughter Lucie. Saturdays are busy with ballet, tap and swim club. Sundays we enjoy family walks with our Border Terrier Betsy and a cycle to our local café for Brunch. Favourite book and film? My all-time favourite book would be Memoirs of a Geisha. This is the book I read for my Higher English back in 1996 and it still sits on my bookshelf to this day. It is one of the few books I go back to as it is such a beautiful read. Where is your favourite place in Scotland? As a child I spent a lot of time during the holidays in St Andrews. Now my children and I spend as much time as we can in the East Neuk of Fife. The Beach Huts in Crail are a particular favourite.

Staff, Landlords, Letting, Meet The Team, News

Meet the Team – Carol Fraser Property Manager

Meet the Team – Carol Fraser Property Manager Describe your role in one sentence at Cairn? My role is to ensure that our tenants are safe and happy, and that our landlords feel their properties are being looked after. What’s the best thing about working at Cairn? The team are so friendly and helpful, and there’s a huge amount of experience to draw on. What is your proudest business achievement/moment? What comes to mind for me, is when I am able to give excellent customer service and help someone who is going through a difficult time. What is the best piece of business advice you have been given? Just focus on one thing at a time… Give us an interesting fact about yourself? I’m good at headstands. What advice would you give your 18-year-old self? To stop being a people pleaser. Who are your heroes inside or outside of business? I don’t really have a specific hero, but someone that comes to mind is an athlete, Tim Marovt who was paralysed and is now running marathons. I’m always inspired when people have a great attitude to overcoming adversity and it’s a good reminder to me to not complain! What qualities do you most admire in others? Honesty, Integrity and fairness. How do you unwind out of work? Training keeps me fit and strong, and I also enjoy hanging out with friends and going for brunch / cooking. Favourite book and film? I recently saw “A man called Otto” – get the tissues out! I don’t have one favourite book – The Time Travellers Wife, 1984 Where is your favourite place in Scotland? Sandwood Bay (so far) – Absolutely stunning

Staff, Careers, General, Meet The Team, News, Property Managers, Recruitment

Meet the Team – Abby Pearson – Property Manager Edinburgh

Meet the Team – Abby Pearson – Property Manager Edinburgh Describe your role in one sentence at Cairn? As a Property Manager within our Portobello branch, I am the main point of contact for our landlords and tenants within the Edinburgh and Lothians, my role is to ensure both landlords and tenants have a smooth tenancy, prioritising and responding to their requirements, no two days are the same which I love. What’s the best thing about working at Cairn? Working with a team who have been so welcoming and supportive. It really is like one big family working for Cairn. What is your proudest business achievement/moment? My proudest business achievement was gaining my business apprenticeship qualification at my previous employment. I am sure there will be more proud moments to come! What is the best piece of business advice you have been given? Listen more than you talk. It’s amazing what you can learn when you truly listen to those around you. Give us an interesting fact about yourself? Before Covid hit, I was a keen gymnast from the age of 5 years old! I later went on to achieve my coaching qualifications. What advice would you give your 18-year-old self? Be kinder to yourself—you’re your own worst critic. Who are your heroes inside or outside of business? Outside of business my heroes are my parents. They have worked so hard to get to where they are today, and I really admire that. They also give quite good advice and I do learn a lot from them (although I never like to let them know I think that!) What qualities do you most admire in others? Kindness, honesty, loyalty and integrity. How do you unwind out of work? Outside of work, I love spending time with friends and family as well as taking my dog Hugo on walks by the beach. Favourite book and film? My favourite book has to be ‘One Day’ by David Nicholls, I was influenced to read the book after watching the Netflix series and it definitely lived up to expectations! My favourite movie is ‘Christmas in Wonderland’ I am a sucker for a Christmas movie, and it was one me and my granny would watch every weekend without fail! Where is your favourite place in Scotland? Anstruther. I spent lots of time there when I was growing up with family. The fish and chip shop is always a plus too!

Staff, Careers, Meet The Team, News, Property Careers, Property Managers

Meet The Team – Claudia Fata

Meet The Team – Claudia Fata Describe your role in one sentence at Cairn? – Property Manager, I am responsible for ensuring both my landlords and tenants have a smooth tenancy, my properties are all over Glasgow. What’s the best thing about working at Cairn? – New Challenges everyday and that involve you getting creative with your problem solving. What is your proudest business achievement/moment? – Becoming a certified Letting Agent. What is the best piece of business advice you have been given? – Work hard and you might get everything you want, work harder and you will. Give us an interesting fact about yourself? – I am a native New Zealander and Pacific Islander, specifically Māori, Niuean. What advice would you give your 18-year-old self? – Buy loads of winter clothes because you’ll be moving to Scotland in a years’ time. Who are your heroes inside or outside of business? – My personal hero is my mum, she’s very hardworking and helped me get to where I am today. What qualities do you most admire in others? – A hard working work ethic and team player. How do you unwind out of work? – Put my headphones on and dance and sing my heart out to 90s music. Favourite book and film? – Favourite book is where the crawdads sing. Where is your favourite place in Scotland? – Glencoe, stunning mountain range and my first time seeing snow.

Staff, Careers, News, Recruitment

Unlock Career Progression with Cairn Estate & Letting Agency

Unlocking Career Progression with Cairn Estate & Letting Agency Are you looking to build a rewarding career in the property sector? At Cairn Estate & Letting Agency, we believe in nurturing talent and providing ample opportunities for career progression. Our team is the backbone of our success, and we are committed to investing in their […]

Staff, Glasgow, Meet The Team

Meet the Team – Jacqui Dalrymple Property Manager

Meet the Team – Jacqui Dalrymple Property Manager Describe your role in one sentence at Cairn? I am a property manager with Cairn, where I am the main point of contact for our landlords and tenants throughout Glasgow and surrounding areas. How long have you worked at Cairn? I have worked for Cairn just short […]

Staff, Meet The Team

Meet the Team – Zoe Simpson – Property Inspector Glasgow

Meet the Team – Zoe Simpson – Property Inspector Glasgow Describe your role in one sentence at Cairn? I’m an External agent so I carry out inspections, move outs, deposit returns, meeting tenants, landlords and contractors. Basically anything that involves being out of the office and making sure that our properties are being well looked after and our landlords and tenants are happy. (Sorry that was 2 sentences!) How long have you worked at Cairn? Around 7 years now. What’s the best thing about working at Cairn? I love that Cairn is an independent and can change and adapt to conditions. We have the best team who all work well together and are very supportive. The best thing about working in the property industry? Definitely that every day is different so it never gets dull and you get to meet some really interesting people and hear some fascinating stories from them. Give us an interesting fact about yourself? After never having ran in my adult life, last year I decided to do the NHS Couch to 5k programme and I now run a 5k three times a week. If I can do it anyone can so give it a go. Who are your heroes inside and outside of business? Inside of business would be anyone who doesn’t let pressure get on top of them. Outside of business I would say probably Barrack Obama. I’ve just finished reading his book and as well as being (in my opinion) an excellent President during his terms, I think he seems like an all round good guy. One piece of advice you could give your younger self? I think everyone says this but don’t worry about what other people think of you. Aim to be happy and content in yourself and life will be much simpler. What qualities do you most admire in others? Honesty and kindness. Both of these are huge qualities in my book. Where is your favourite place in Scotland? Scotland is such a stunning country, however, you cannot beat the banter in Glasgow! If someone would like to get in touch with you about a property, how should they get in touch? zoe.simpson@cairnestateagency.com

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