Well if the OP really wants to waste money yes, have a go. Tim you say you haven't done a head gasket before, I've done many (I've lost count but probably close to if not into three figures) and I can tell you that this engine is, perhaps not the worst, but certainly not a "first time for everything, lets have a go" example, unless one wants to be put off working on cars for life. The petrol version is bad, the diesel version is hell, not so much getting the head off and on but the valve / injector timing - get it wrong, especially the valve timing, and you can say good-bye to the head and camshaft!
The head will almost certainly need skimming, assuming that it's not to far gone or has already been machined to it's limit (quite possible), quite frankly the OP would be best served by not letting the blind lead the blind and putting 500 quid or so towards funds for another car or even (if the car is otherwise immaculate) sourcing a SH engine from a salvage yard and paying for a engine swap - the cost, less engine, probably wouldn't come to much more than paying to get the head gasket repaired properly.