
We feel the care home has skillfully managed all the difficulties of the pandemiCraig T(Son of Resident/Service User)

Mum speaks highly of the meals provided saying that there is plenty of variationRaymond C(Son of Resident/Service User)


We feel the care home has skillfully managed all the difficulties of the pandemiCraig T(Son of Resident/Service User)

Mum speaks highly of the meals provided saying that there is plenty of variationRaymond C(Son of Resident/Service User)


Located in the heart of rural Aberdeenshire, just off the A96, Drumdarroch House Care Home is a one storey, purpose-built care facility with a homely atmosphere for 41 clients. Drumdarroch enjoys an open aspect on the edge of the village of Insch with fantastic views of woodland, Dunnydeer Hill and the remains of the Dunnydeer Hill Fort.
The home has close links with the village and the surrounding areas - these...
Care Provided by Drumdarroch House Care Home
Primary Care Categories
- Older Person Care
- Dementia
- Physical Disability
Length of Stay
- Permanent Care
- Respite Care
Care Types Provided
- Residential Care
- Nursing Care
- Dementia Residential Care
- Dementia Nursing Care
- For a maximum of 41 Service Users
Dementia Care TypesMild Dementia
Someone living with our definition of "mild dementia" might experience some or all of the following:
- Memory problems such as misplacing items and not be able to recall recent events (however, in some forms of dementia a person's memory may be unchanged)
- Difficulties thinking through problems and planning, making decisions
- Language and communication issues such as finding it difficult to recall the appropriate word in a conversation or following a conversation
- Poor orientation, getting lost in areas previously familiar to them
- Difficulty judging distances (more falls than usual)
- Changes in their normal mood including anxiety and depression
- In certain types of dementia, personality and behaviour changes may be present alongside or instead of issues with memory or concentration.
Moderate Dementia
Someone living with our definition of "moderate dementia" might experience some or all of the following:
- Worsened memory problems. Not always recognising own family members and friends. Repeating the same questions over and over again
- Worsened language and communication issues, forgetting what they are saying mid-sentence. Not being able to understand what someone else is saying
- More frequent confusion, e.g. about the time of day or where they are, including their own home
- Apathy, depression and anxiety
- Believing things that aren't true (paranoia)
- Frequent hallucinations
- Lack of emotional control, quick to anger, fearfulness, sadness
- Loss of inhibition
- Difficulties sleeping or waking during the night and behaving as though it is daytime - loss of circadian rhythm.
Advanced Dementia
Someone living with our definition of "severe dementia" might experience some or all of the following:
- Severe memory problems. Not recognising family members and friends. Not being able to recall their own name
- Severe language and communication issues, not being able to understand what someone else is saying
- Severe confusion, e.g. about the time of day or where they are, including their own home
- Apathy, depression and anxiety
- Believing things that aren't true (paranoia)
- Frequent hallucinations
- Lack of emotional control, quick to anger, fearfulness, sadness
- Loss of inhibition
- Difficulties sleeping or waking during the night and behaving as though it is daytime - loss of circadian rhythm.
Verbally or physically aggressive behaviour
If your loved one displays this type of behaviour you may need a care home that has specially trained staff. Verbal/physical aggression is often defined:
- Consistent shouting and screaming
- Verbal abuse
- Physical abuse
How we define Dementia Care Types
Mild Dementia
Someone living with our definition of "mild dementia" might experience some or all of the following:
- Memory problems such as misplacing items and not be able to recall recent events (however, in some forms of dementia a person's memory may be unchanged)
- Difficulties thinking through problems and planning, making decisions
- Language and communication issues such as finding it difficult to recall the appropriate word in a conversation or following a conversation
- Poor orientation, getting lost in areas previously familiar to them
- Difficulty judging distances (more falls than usual)
- Changes in their normal mood including anxiety and depression
- In certain types of dementia, personality and behaviour changes may be present alongside or instead of issues with memory or concentration.
Moderate Dementia
Someone living with our definition of "moderate dementia" might experience some or all of the following:
- Worsened memory problems. Not always recognising own family members and friends. Repeating the same questions over and over again
- Worsened language and communication issues, forgetting what they are saying mid-sentence. Not being able to understand what someone else is saying
- More frequent confusion, e.g. about the time of day or where they are, including their own home
- Apathy, depression and anxiety
- Believing things that aren't true (paranoia)
- Frequent hallucinations
- Lack of emotional control, quick to anger, fearfulness, sadness
- Loss of inhibition
- Difficulties sleeping or waking during the night and behaving as though it is daytime - loss of circadian rhythm.
Advanced Dementia
Someone living with our definition of "severe dementia" might experience some or all of the following:
- Severe memory problems. Not recognising family members and friends. Not being able to recall their own name
- Severe language and communication issues, not being able to understand what someone else is saying
- Severe confusion, e.g. about the time of day or where they are, including their own home
- Apathy, depression and anxiety
- Believing things that aren't true (paranoia)
- Frequent hallucinations
- Lack of emotional control, quick to anger, fearfulness, sadness
- Loss of inhibition
- Difficulties sleeping or waking during the night and behaving as though it is daytime - loss of circadian rhythm.
Verbally or physically aggressive behaviour
If your loved one displays this type of behaviour you may need a care home that has specially trained staff. Verbal/physical aggression is often defined:
- Consistent shouting and screaming
- Verbal abuse
- Physical abuse
How we define Dementia Care Types
- Mild Dementia
- Moderate Dementia
Other Care Provided
- Palliative / End of Life Care
Facilities
- Own Furniture if required
- Smoking not permitted
- Close to Local shops
- Near Public Transport
- Minibus or other transport
- Wheelchair Access
- Ground Floor Accommodation only
- Gardens
- Residents Kitchenette
- Phone Point in own room
- Television point in own room
- Residents Internet Access
Funding & Fees
Contact Drumdarroch House Care Home to confirm what's included and get a personalised quote:
Funding Types Accepted
- Self-Funding (Private)
- Local Authority with Top-up
- Local Authority
Good to Know
Group / Owner
- Priority Care
- Private Owned
Person in charge
- Wendy Stephen(Home Manager)
Local Authority / Social Services
Admission Information
- Ages 65+
Care Home Design/Build
- Purpose Built: Yes
- Year Purpose Built: 2000
- Last Refurbishment: 2020
- Number of floors: 1
Room Information
- Single Rooms (37)
- Couples/Companion Rooms (2)
Parking
- Free Parking on-site
Drumdarroch House Care Home Reviews (75)
Drumdarroch House Care Home has a Review Score of 9.9 (9.864) out of 10, based on 36 reviews in the last 2 years.
Over all time Drumdarroch House Care Home has 75 reviews.
It is clear to me that the strong management team genuinely care for the residents and their families.
At a recent event, it was clear to me that this strong leadership cascades down through the team to the residents.
Thank you, Wendy and team for helping us all help Mum settle into her new forever home.
The home cared for my mum at Drumdarroch for over 5 years with thoughtfulness, consideration, care, professionalism, help and respect.
It was a relief to me to be able to quickly reach a place where I trusted that my sister was in very safe hands, and surrounded by kind people. I know that great care was taken at mealtimes, for instance, as it did take a long time for her to consume enough nutrition, often delicious homemade soup which was a favourite of hers. The entertainments team included her as much as they could, and she enjoyed musical afternoons etc. Her laundry was always carefully done, and delivered cheerfully back to her room and neatly put away.
As I live at a distance, it was nice to be so warmly greeted when I visited, and I felt looked after too!
I knew that I could phone whenever I needed to, for peace of mind. Thank you all for taking such good care of her.
We will share your message with the entire team.
I am very pleased with my mother's care at Drumdarroch House Care Home. Staff are very friendly and can't do enough for my mother. Home lovely and warm, meals excellent, rooms have been updated. Lots of activities, different every week, very clean, management (Since Wendy came) excellent, garden lovely and Xmas decs in home very festive, and outside, outstanding. I have no worries about recommending this home! Very pleased.
The staff at Drumdarroch House Care Home do such fantastic work there and always very friendly. They should feel so proud of the part they play in looking after the residents. This is all led by a wonderful care manager it is so welcoming when coming down the path to the entrance. At the moment its all about Christmas. In Spring daffodils and then summer bedding plants which residents help choose. It must be such a joy for them to be involved. There's a screen when you enter the home that shows residents enjoying baking, parties, making Easter hats. There's such a variety of activities there are also fundraising afternoons with volunteers and the staff also give so much of their own time to help. A fantastic group of people.
I live in Australia and have just had the pleasure of visiting my mother at the home for her 100th birthday. As I video call my mother every day, I have had contact with the staff for some time. Our welcome was overwhelming. I was so happy to see the care and love my mom receives. The rooms are clean and spacious, the meals delicious, and all the staff are so friendly and caring.
Thank you for taking the time to leave such a lovely review of Drumdarroch. That's so lovely you celebrated your mums 100th birthday with her and had a nice day. Wendy and all of her staff team at the home will be so pleased to read your kind words. We are very proud of the whole team and the care and support they provide every day.
All members of staff are very caring and know my mother-in-law well. They keep us fully informed about her care. She is settled and content and feels at home. During family visits, we are welcomed and often share a fly-cup. Drumdarroch is a lovely place to visit - it's homely, welcoming and there's always plenty going on.
Thank you for taking the time to leave such a lovely review of Drumdarroch. The manager and all of her staff team at the home will be so pleased to read your kind words. We are very proud of the whole team and the care and support they provide every day.
She didn't get long but she was treated with great care and dignity.
The home and gardens were beautifully kept.
All the family were impressed with the family atmosphere.
Thank you for taking the time to leave such a lovely review of Drumdarroch. The manager and all of her staff team at the home will be so pleased to read your kind words. We are very proud of the whole team and the care and support they provide every day.
The home is so welcoming and friendly. Garden is so colourful with new flowers.
Thank you for taking the time to leave such a lovely review of Drumdarroch. The manager and all of her staff team at the home will be so pleased to read your kind words. We are very proud of the whole team and the care and support they provide every day.
Drumdarroch has provided a very caring and protective environment for Mum since she became a resident. She finds it a comfortable, homely place, where all the staff know her and are kind and friendly to her. The food's good! And the home offers a range of activities for the residents.
I have found the care in Drumdarroch House for my mum to be excellent. The staff are really kind and caring. The rooms are always spotless and the food looks very appetising. Mum is unfortunately unable to participate in the varied activities going on but really enjoyed the recent Summer fete. We admired the lovely flowrs which have brightened up the entrance.
Thank you for taking the time to leave such a lovely review of Drumdarroch. The manager and all of her staff team at the home will be so pleased to read your kind words. We are very proud of the whole team and the care and support they provide every day.
All the staff and management are friendly and helpful and there is always activities to do if you wish.
Thank you for taking the time to leave such a lovely review of Drumdarroch. The manager and all of her staff team at the home will be so pleased to read your kind words. We are very proud of the whole team and the care and support they provide every day.
Nothing has changed my view in the six years since. Care is compassionate. The staff are patient and supportive, even when one of my family member residents is difficult, as she can be.
The fee is high. The peace of mind it brings the family is the benefit.
Thank you for taking the time to leave such a lovely review of Drumdarroch. The manager and all of her staff team at the home will be so pleased to read your kind words. We are very proud of the whole team and the care and support they provide every day.
My Mum has been a resident for 9 months . She is well looked after always clean and well dressed The staff are so kind and caring and they have so much compassion and patience with Mum. Drumdarroch staff make you so welcome when visiting with a cup of tea and a home bake. The Care Home is so clean and tidy and the gardens are beautiful.
Thank you for taking the time to leave such a lovely review of Drumdarroch. The manager and all of her staff team at the home will be so pleased to read your kind words. We are very proud of the whole team and the care and support they provide every day.
The home manager and her staff do their very best to give care and consideration to the residents
Thank you for taking the time to leave such a lovely review of Drumdarroch. The manager and all of her staff team at the home will be so pleased to read your kind words. We are very proud of the whole team and the care and support they provide every day.
The home is always clean and my parents needs are very well cared for.
Warm, welcoming home. My mum is always very well cared for. Good home cooking, excellent homebakes, Mum especially likes the rock cakes. Manager and staff all very good.
Thank you very much for your excellent review of Drumdarroch. We're very happy to hear that your mum is living the home baking.
I really can't say enough about Drumdarroch, the staff are exceptional. The genuine care and compassion they have with each and every resident shines through on every visit I make. There is nothing that is too much and great effort is made to show each resident how important they are. I have been visiting Drumdarroch for 2years now with my Therapet so have got to see staff in action and see how they pull together as a team to make the residents have a good experience every day
Thank you so much for your kind words and for taking the time to review Drumdarroch. This really means a lot to the team in the home. We are extremely proud of the whole staff team at Drumdarroch.
My mother has been a resident for almost 4 years now. My overall experience has been very positive and I feel reassured that my mother is getting well cared for in a secure and friendly environment. I would have no hesitation in recommending this well-managed care home to any other families looking for a caring nursing home.
Thank you so much for your kind words and for taking the time to review Drumdarroch. This really means a lot to the team in the home. We are extremely proud of the whole staff team at Drumdarroch.
When looking for a care home for my Mother-in-law, Drumdarroch was our first choice because of the reviews and we were thrilled when she was offered a place. Sadly, my Mother-in-law only had 10 months living at Drumdarroch, but in that time was shown love, care and kindness that you wish for. My Mother-in-law settled very quickly in Drumdarroch and thoroughly enjoyed her time there. She often spoke about the kindness of the staff and loved the food in the 'restaurant'. The family would also like to thank staff for their kindness when she passed.
Regulatory Rating
Care Inspectorate (CI) Rating
Date: 24 March 2026- How well do we support people's wellbeing?Good
(4)
- How good is our leadership?Good
(4)
- How good is our staff team?Good
(4)
- How good is our setting?Good
(4)
- How well is care and support planned?Good
(4)
Bed Vacancies
Please contact us for latest vacancies.
News (0) & Events (0)
There are no news items for Drumdarroch House Care Home.
There are no upcoming events for Drumdarroch House Care Home.
Awards / Recognitions (1)
- 01 Feb 2018Recipient: Drumdarroch House Care Home
Accreditations
There are no accreditations posted yet for Drumdarroch House Care Home.
Meet the Team (1)

Hello, I'm Wendy Stephen, the Home Manager at Drumdarroch Care Home.
I qualified as a State Enrolled Nurse many years ago in Oldham, Lancashire, and worked as a night nurse in the local hospital.
I continued my career in nursing working for the MS Society for almost 10 years, which is when I started my journey within the care home environment, as a staff nurse working up to Home Manager Peripatetic Manager Quality Management and latterly Regional Support Manager. During this time I completed a conversion course to a first-level nurse followed by a degree in Nursing.
During my career, I have experienced working with a variety of homes which have been under focus and require support to improve standards to allow them to improve their grades and also homes which have good grades to ensure that they maintain the required standards.
I bring my years of experience to Drumdarroch and share this to ensure that I continue to support staff, residents and relatives whilst supporting staff to maintain the standards already embedded.
Frequently Asked Questions about Drumdarroch House Care Home
What types of Care is Drumdarroch House Care Home registered for?
Older Person Care, Dementia, Physical Disability are the registered (by the Care Quality Commission) categories of Care.
How many Rooms does Drumdarroch House Care Home have?
There are 37 Single Rooms and 2 Couples/Companion Rooms.
What are the Facilities & Services at Drumdarroch House Care Home?
Own Furniture if required, Smoking not permitted, Close to Local shops, Near Public Transport, Minibus or other transport, Wheelchair Access, Ground Floor Accommodation only, Gardens, Residents Kitchenette, Phone Point in own room, Television point in own room, Residents Internet Access are some of the Facilities & Services.
How far is Drumdarroch House Care Home to the centre of Insch?
0.3 mile(s) as the crow flies, distance by road may be significantly further.
Information on this page is displayed without responsibility for its accuracy on the part of carehome.co.uk. Please contact Drumdarroch House Care Home to verify any information. View our terms and conditions. Drumdarroch House Care Home has an Enhanced Service -more info.