
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.
The home is very welcoming when visiting and host a number of charitable events throughout the year involving staff, families, residents and volunteers. The home is always clean and our mother has been there for three years and is happy and settled. The room is spacious, clean and warm with nice views. Meals are good quality with no shortage of snacks and refreshments between meals. Communication from the home is good with lots of information. The staff are very friendly with locals from all age groups and they always have a smile. I would recommend Drumdarroch to anyone considering care for a relative or parent, it is a relief to all of us knowing my mother is safe, clean and well cared for every day, spending time in good company. A big thank you to all the staff at Drumdarroch for their hard work and effort towards all the residents at the home, from the catering staff, maintenance team careers and administrative staff who provide a great service under difficult situations.
My sister stayed in Drumdarroch for only 3 months and sadly died on 19th December 2018. During her stay, she received the most wonderful care and attention. The staff were very good by updating me on her condition. This care home is focused on the residents providing professional and timely care at a difficult time in someone's life. Thank you for your support and efforts on my sister's behalf.
My Dad became a resident of Drumdarroch House in January 2018. He had been disabled since 2015 and received care at home until my mother's death in November 2017. The move into care was a very difficult transition, but I instantly knew this would be the best place for him.
On the first contact, I was impressed when told 'come whenever you want, we like to be seen just as we are'. On visiting, there was warmth, friendliness and real interest in Dad and his situation from the management. From the moment of arrival, Dad was welcomed into the 'Drumdarroch family' and every effort made to provide care as he wanted it. He was always treated with respect, understanding and true empathy towards his recent loss, and encouraged daily to participate in the life of the home. Carers daily tempted him to eat with alternative options always offered. The palliative care in Dad's final days was outstanding and the support given to me greatly appreciated. Nothing was ever too much trouble. Thank you.
My mum came to Drumdarroch House Care Home from NHS care very low and unable to walk by herself. Within weeks she was walking all over the home as a different person. She had dementia but was competent enough to know her surroundings and loved the staff. She was treated with love and respect and I was totally happy to trust them with her care.
They showed deep compassion and care in his last few days whilst my mum and I were struggling to come to terms with saying goodbye to my dad and I will be forever grateful.
He is at peace now. No more suffering.
I would recommend Drumdarroch very much for their care.
Mum was in for 5 months and during her last days staff were excellent, with excellent care and hospitality for the family at this sad time.
The whole family are also well looked after with food and tea/coffee provided for us.
We are kept informed of her situation and all the staff carry out their duties in a very caring manner.
I am very pleased with the care my mum has had in her short stay. Service has been excellent. The staff have been excellent - we have been well looked after.
The excellent care my mother is having is first class. The staff are very kind and helpful to all my family. They have made my mother very welcome and happy.
I have found the care and attention extremely satisfactory. We cannot fault the attention my mum received in her last days and the family has been so well looked after during Mum's final days. Meals, cups of tea - excellent. A very big thank you to staff.
The staff were especially supportive and "nothing was to much bother" even when conditions were difficult and distressing.
100% happy with our choice of home and would not hesitate to give a glowing recommendation.
My dads stay at Drumdarroch House Care Home was lovely. The staff were excellent as well as caring they were friendly, compassionate and went well above the call of duty. Dad's passing was made a lot better because of the lovely staff for him and the whole family. I could not fault any aspects of Drumdarroch House Care Home.
Drumdarroch is a welcoming and homely place. All staff are pleasant, approachable and very friendly. Attention to residents various and sometimes demanding requirements is sympathetic and caring. Input from relatives and friends of the residents is encouraged by the managemeñt
Services provided fully cater for user's complex personal requirements and provides reassurance to the family that the user is treated as an individual. Varied and regular social activities ensure a stimulating environment where participation is encouraged. Equally the right to decline participation for some quiet time is respected.
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.
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.