Located in a beautiful rural setting, with views over Westhill, Pitcairn Lodge is a home which is truly part of the local community. The team, many of whom have been with the home for over 10 years, are passionate about enriching the lives of their residents with activities and experiences which bring them joy.
Providing residential, dementia, nursing and palliative care, they also provide respite care breaks. These are ideal...
Located in a beautiful rural setting, with views over Westhill, Pitcairn Lodge is a home which is truly part of the local community. The team, many of whom have been with the home for over 10 years, are passionate about enriching the lives of their residents with activities and experiences which bring them joy.
Providing residential, dementia, nursing and palliative care, they also provide respite care breaks. These are ideal for family carers looking after loved ones at home, who would like to plan a short break themselves.
The community are embraced into life in the home, keeping those special connections alive. The team take the residents to churches they have gone to all their lives, as well as welcoming church groups into the home.
Local school and nursery children are regular visitors, joining in with activities and performing for the residents. There is a regular musical memories exercise group, a touring puppet theatre and therapy dogs. And the residents enjoy regular shopping trips, pub lunches and visits to community cafés.
The home has a large garden. This summer the residents have enjoyed growing their own produce in the raised beds, harvesting it for the chef to use in the kitchen.
Mealtimes are a real highlight of the day, with the home’s chef crowned winner of the regional Best Performing Chef award at Sanctuary Care’s MasterChef Conference. From delicious roast dinners with all the trimmings, to freshly baked cakes for afternoon tea.
There are welcoming lounges to enjoy activities and spend time with loved ones, who are welcome at any time. And there’s a private family and friends Facebook group, where families can see what their loved ones have been enjoying doing, even if they can’t be there in person.
A hairdresser visits twice a week for appointments with the residents in the home’s salon. And there are regular pamper sessions, with manicures and hand massages.
Contact Pitcairn Lodge Nursing Home to confirm what's included and get a personalised quote:
Our weekly room fees are individual to each of our residents and are subject to a pre-admission assessment, which is required to understand the level of care and support needed. Our 2025 weekly room fees start from £1991, but may be more. This depends on your care needs and the type of bedroom that is right for you, from our standard rooms through to our premium bedroom options.
The price(s) shown are provided by the care home. Contact Pitcairn Lodge Nursing Home for full pricing details and T&Cs.
Pitcairn Lodge Nursing Home has a Review Score of 9.8 (9.756) out of 10, based on 40 reviews in the last 2 years.
Over all time Pitcairn Lodge Nursing Home has 81 reviews.
Since arriving at Pitcairn both Dad and I have been chuffed to bits with all aspects of this wonderful haven. From staff, food, hygiene, warmth and comfort, first-rate on all counts. The gratitude we both feel towards all concerned, management, nurses, carers, cleaners and aux staff cannot be...
Since arriving at Pitcairn both Dad and I have been chuffed to bits with all aspects of this wonderful haven. From staff, food, hygiene, warmth and comfort, first-rate on all counts. The gratitude we both feel towards all concerned, management, nurses, carers, cleaners and aux staff cannot be overstated. The transformation in Dad now from when he arrived is obvious for all to see, Thank you one and all, your ongoing efforts really do make such a difference.
Thank you for your wonderful review for Pitcairn, we are delighted your father is thriving there. The team will be touched to read your comments.
My sister was admitted to Pitcairn in July 2020 during the Covid restrictions. The first eighteen months were challenging for residents, relatives and staff. My sister's mental health deteriorated fairly rapidly during this time (partly due to the reduced contact with family and friends and partly...
My sister was admitted to Pitcairn in July 2020 during the Covid restrictions. The first eighteen months were challenging for residents, relatives and staff. My sister's mental health deteriorated fairly rapidly during this time (partly due to the reduced contact with family and friends and partly due to the staff struggling to cope with restrictions. At the same time, maintaining staff motivation and standards was affected by things like staff sickness and staff leaving and a reduction in activities and staff/resident individual time with residents. There were several changes in the senior management team and admin, staff culminating, in the manager leaving and being replaced. Since the arrival of the new manager, things have started to improve greatly in the areas mentioned above, and there is much more openness to change. I am much happier with the overall care and potential for growth and improvement in standards. It was as if everyone had been suffering from "burnout".
Thank you for your review. Our highly experienced home manager and her team are extremely passionate about involving families and our residents in how Pitcairn is run and wholeheartedly embrace positive change. Of course, 2020 was a terribly challenging time for everyone, not just the care industry, and we are delighted to be moving onwards and upwards.
They appear to be settling in nicely. The only thing I’ve noticed is that they have lost their independence and perhaps allow them to choose which clothes to wear on the day rather than pick ones for them, it’s maybe worth asking the person what they want on the day rather than decide for them.
They appear to be settling in nicely. The only thing I’ve noticed is that they have lost their independence and perhaps allow them to choose which clothes to wear on the day rather than pick ones for them, it’s maybe worth asking the person what they want on the day rather than decide for them.
Thank you for your high-scoring review for our team at Pitcairn. I can assure you that we are passionate about supporting our residents to retain their independence. When we help them get ready in the morning, we take the time to discuss what they would like to wear, as well as what they would like...
Thank you for your high-scoring review for our team at Pitcairn. I can assure you that we are passionate about supporting our residents to retain their independence. When we help them get ready in the morning, we take the time to discuss what they would like to wear, as well as what they would like to do that day. Of course, some of our residents who live with dementia may sometimes forget this, but it is something we ensure we do each and every day.
My mum went into Pitcairn during the first lockdown. I found this extremely hard but knew it was for the best as she has dementia. Now that things are getting back to normal, it has been great to get to know the staff, they are all very welcoming and friendly, and I see that they all do their best...
My mum went into Pitcairn during the first lockdown. I found this extremely hard but knew it was for the best as she has dementia. Now that things are getting back to normal, it has been great to get to know the staff, they are all very welcoming and friendly, and I see that they all do their best for my mum. Her room is always clean and tidy.
Choosing a nursing home, particularly in a crisis situation, is very difficult for the family and the person they are supporting to choose a new home. The process at Pitcairn Lodge Nursing Home was very smooth and lovingly activated. I am a nurse and a stickler for high-quality nursing care and...
Choosing a nursing home, particularly in a crisis situation, is very difficult for the family and the person they are supporting to choose a new home. The process at Pitcairn Lodge Nursing Home was very smooth and lovingly activated. I am a nurse and a stickler for high-quality nursing care and have been hugely impressed by the quality, compassion and love given to my step-mum since she joined in November 2022. Thank you.
After looking at many homes I was delighted Mum got offered a place in Pitcairn. The home is in lovely rural surroundings and is bright and welcoming once inside. Mum has speech issues so doesn't really interact, preferring to stay in her room. This is her choice but I know she is never left alone...
After looking at many homes I was delighted Mum got offered a place in Pitcairn. The home is in lovely rural surroundings and is bright and welcoming once inside. Mum has speech issues so doesn't really interact, preferring to stay in her room. This is her choice but I know she is never left alone for long periods as anytime I visit staff pop in and out. She has settled in really well and I'm delighted with the level of care and support from staff. Thank you!
Thank you so much for your wonderful review. It's lovely to hear how well your mum has settled in and how pleased you are with the care and support provided by our team. Best wishes.
Really lovely place surrounding are beautiful mum is so happy there staff are very friendly and loving plenty of activities and always loving seeing all the posts couldn't wish for a better place for my mum
Really lovely place surrounding are beautiful mum is so happy there staff are very friendly and loving plenty of activities and always loving seeing all the posts couldn't wish for a better place for my mum
Very early days for us to review. However, mum has settled in quickly with her new surrounding. All family members who have been out to visit have been happy to find a warm and cosy atmosphere. Friendly, helpful staff who are always at the end of the phone and willing to take time to discuss mum's...
Very early days for us to review. However, mum has settled in quickly with her new surrounding. All family members who have been out to visit have been happy to find a warm and cosy atmosphere. Friendly, helpful staff who are always at the end of the phone and willing to take time to discuss mum's needs.
My sister is always clean and tidy when I visit her. The staff are very friendly and always answers any questions I ask. Pitcairn Lodge Nursing Home is bright and always very clean, they always have flowers in the lounge and my sister seems happy there.
My sister is always clean and tidy when I visit her. The staff are very friendly and always answers any questions I ask. Pitcairn Lodge Nursing Home is bright and always very clean, they always have flowers in the lounge and my sister seems happy there.
Thank you so much for taking the time for reviewing our home and for your kind words about our home and care. Best wishes.
Continuous issues with laundry - clothes missing and wrong clothes in the room, despite all being named!
Continuous issues with laundry - clothes missing and wrong clothes in the room, despite all being named!
I was very lucky to get Mum in here. After being shown around was very impressed with the staff and facilities. Mum seems to be settling in ok. Would recommend Pitcairn to any family looking for care of their elderly parents.
I was very lucky to get Mum in here. After being shown around was very impressed with the staff and facilities. Mum seems to be settling in ok. Would recommend Pitcairn to any family looking for care of their elderly parents.
It is always a pleasure visiting my sister at Pitcairn Lodge Nursing Home. The staff are always welcoming and friendly. The home itself is always clean and tidy, as is my sister. Actually, I always look forward to my visits.
It is always a pleasure visiting my sister at Pitcairn Lodge Nursing Home. The staff are always welcoming and friendly. The home itself is always clean and tidy, as is my sister. Actually, I always look forward to my visits.
Thank you so much for taking the time to review our home - your kind words are so appreciated by the team at Pitcairn Lodge Nursing Home. Best wishes, Fae
Very difficult to write a review due to covid restrictions. Not being able to see the personal interaction with staff and residents. But to date, we are happy with the care provided especially with communication by phone regarding any issues and challenges they have had endured. Only small fault is...
Very difficult to write a review due to covid restrictions. Not being able to see the personal interaction with staff and residents. But to date, we are happy with the care provided especially with communication by phone regarding any issues and challenges they have had endured. Only small fault is I find that speaking to different staff on the phone, sometimes they are not up to date with what is happening with our resident. But again interaction could be more manageable with a larger room.
Both my parents are residents of Pitcairn Lodge, which makes it easy for myself and my family to visit. My parents are both very settled and like living there. They both enjoy the activities and the gardens.
Both my parents are residents of Pitcairn Lodge, which makes it easy for myself and my family to visit. My parents are both very settled and like living there. They both enjoy the activities and the gardens.
Overall I am happy with my Mum’s care, she seems really settled and the staff have a good rapport with her. The home is always spotless and clean. There are regular updates as to what’s going on in general but maybe there could be more personal updates, especially when residents aren’t able to...
Overall I am happy with my Mum’s care, she seems really settled and the staff have a good rapport with her. The home is always spotless and clean. There are regular updates as to what’s going on in general but maybe there could be more personal updates, especially when residents aren’t able to communicate this themselves. Covid-19 has made things very difficult for everyone but I feel Pitcairn Lodge Nursing Home has managed the situation very well and thankfully my Mum doesn’t seem affected by all the changes. Moving a parent into a care home is never easy but I’m reassured by the standard of care here.
In general, my wife is treated very well and has been for the last two years. The Covid pandemic has added to the difficulties experienced by the staff and management. The care is very good and the activities are too. The cleanliness; personal, clothing and facilities are of a high standard. The...
In general, my wife is treated very well and has been for the last two years. The Covid pandemic has added to the difficulties experienced by the staff and management. The care is very good and the activities are too. The cleanliness; personal, clothing and facilities are of a high standard. The medical treatment has been maintained during the pandemic.
I am pleased with the overall service provided by Pitcairn Lodge Nursing Home. My contacts have been with a number of the staff at the home and all have provided a high level of service with a friendly and approachable attitude. Most of my contact has been by telephone and I have as yet been unable...
I am pleased with the overall service provided by Pitcairn Lodge Nursing Home. My contacts have been with a number of the staff at the home and all have provided a high level of service with a friendly and approachable attitude. Most of my contact has been by telephone and I have as yet been unable to gain access to the Home, due to COVID restrictions, but I have a good feeling about the home. I have met my sister at the window of her room and also in the garden areas (in the summer) and all staff have provided me with a high level of service. My sister appears to have settled in well and the home provides a safe and secure dwelling for her medical needs. The only concern I have is the cost of her care, it seems high to me!
Thank you for your kind words and feedback, it is much appreciated! Our team are always here for you if you have any questions at all, including the home's current care fees.
Very comforting to know my mum is here. During Covid times, it's not easy but the staff really do their best. Mum likes the staff and they treat her very well. Communication between family and home could be improved but they do the best they can.
Very comforting to know my mum is here. During Covid times, it's not easy but the staff really do their best. Mum likes the staff and they treat her very well. Communication between family and home could be improved but they do the best they can.
Thank you for your kind words about our home and team - they are so appreciated.
Excellent care. Always let you know what's happening with the care of my mum. Staff are extremely helpful and nothing is ever too much trouble. Always listen to any request made. Mum seems very happy and never complains.
Excellent care. Always let you know what's happening with the care of my mum. Staff are extremely helpful and nothing is ever too much trouble. Always listen to any request made. Mum seems very happy and never complains.
Thank you so much for your review - it is lovely to hear mum is happy with us at Pitcairn Lodge.
Good support - low staff turnover - always kept up to date with mum's condition and general well being.
Good support - low staff turnover - always kept up to date with mum's condition and general well being.
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Ruth is the Home Manager at Pitcairn Lodge and has been part of the home since 2009. Her career in care began when she was just 16, when her dad, who...
Ruth is the Home Manager at Pitcairn Lodge and has been part of the home since 2009. Her career in care began when she was just 16, when her dad, who also now works for Sanctuary, helped her get an evening job washing dishes at Pitcairn. Although she was unsure at first, Ruth quickly grew to love spending time with the residents and the atmosphere of the home, progressing from the kitchen to working as a domestic and then as a carer.
Her passion for care inspired her to complete an Adult Nursing degree and build her clinical experience across a variety of settings, including community nursing, ENT, respiratory medicine, emergency theatres and care of older people. She also worked as an agency nurse in nursing homes across the north east of Scotland before continuing her career at Pitcairn, where she spent ten years working in the home’s dementia unit.
Ruth became Deputy Manager in 2023 before progressing to Home Manager in November 2024. She is passionate about leading by example and creating a home where things are done properly and fairly, while supporting colleagues to learn and develop. Ruth has completed the Best Practice in Dementia Facilitator course through Stirling University and has since supported more than 20 colleagues through the six-month programme. She has also completed the European Certificate in Essential Palliative Care with Princess Alice Hospice, reflecting her particular passion for delivering high standards of palliative care.
One of Ruth’s proudest recent achievements was seeing Pitcairn Lodge named Best Performing Home for the Scotland North directorate in December 2025, recognising the hard work of the team and the changes they had made over the previous year. What Ruth values most about care, though, is the people. She loves getting to know residents, hearing their stories and understanding what makes each person unique.
Outside of work, Ruth loves travelling and has visited destinations including Poland, Florida, New York, Iceland, Croatia, Spain, Hungary, Turkey, Greece and Paris. Having spent ten years learning Polish, inspired by her Polish husband, she says the experience has given her an even greater respect for colleagues who speak more than one language. These days, she also enjoys camping so that her much-loved Bedlington Terrier, Isa, can come along too.
When choosing a care home for a loved one, Ruth’s advice is simple: ask plenty of questions, visit more than once and, if possible, attend an event or activity. It’s a great way to experience the home for yourself and get a genuine feel for its people and atmosphere.
What I changed: I’ve kept all the strongest details from Ruth’s answers but turned them into a warmer, flowing profile rather than a Q&A. I’ve also put more emphasis on her progression within Pitcairn, from washing dishes at 16 to becoming Home Manager, as that gives her profile a really strong personal story.
Elaine is the Deputy Manager at Pitcairn Lodge, bringing over 30 years of nursing experience to her role. She began her healthcare journey as a bank...
Elaine is the Deputy Manager at Pitcairn Lodge, bringing over 30 years of nursing experience to her role. She began her healthcare journey as a bank auxiliary at Maidencraig, a neuro rehabilitation unit, where she discovered her passion for nursing and went on to complete her training. Elaine has since built a diverse clinical background across neurology, stroke care, and care of the elderly.
Her career has included leadership positions such as Deputy Manager and later Manager of a nursing home in Aberdeen. She also gained valuable international experience while living in Dubai, where she managed a residential home for children with learning disabilities. Notably, Elaine was headhunted shortly after qualifying for a senior nurse role - an early recognition of her dedication and skill.
For the past four years at Pitcairn Lodge, Elaine has played a key role in the management team, helping to guide the home from strength to strength. She is known for her caring attitude, something she credits to inspiration from a nurse named Nancy Annal, who motivated her to pursue nursing from a young age.
Elaine thrives on the variety each day brings and values the strong relationships she builds with residents, their families, and colleagues. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her family, her twin 17-year-old sons, who both work as bank domestic assistants for Sanctuary, and her lively 10-year-old daughter. She also loves hosting gatherings, travelling during the summer, and relaxing with a good book.
From her extensive experience, Elaine believes that the atmosphere of a home is something you feel the moment you walk in, shaped by its management, staff, and residents alike.
Gillian has worked in health and social care for around 20 years, with her career beginning at Pitcairn Lodge Nursing Home, where her mum was working...
Gillian has worked in health and social care for around 20 years, with her career beginning at Pitcairn Lodge Nursing Home, where her mum was working as a carer at the time.
Starting out as a Kitchen Porter, Gillian soon discovered a passion for working in care. Over the years, she has taken on a variety of roles, including working as a domestic and carer, before becoming a Wellbeing & Lifestyle Coordinator. She has worked on and off at Pitcairn Lodge for around 15 years, including approximately six or seven years with Sanctuary Care.
Gillian’s experience has also taken her much further afield. While living in Australia, she worked as a Personal Care Assistant at Shenton Park Hospital in Perth, a rehabilitation hospital where she gained experience across a wide range of areas, including spinal and brain injuries, stroke rehabilitation, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, pre-operative care and intensive care. She also worked at Royal Perth Hospital, where A&E and theatres were among her favourite areas.
Today, Gillian loves having the freedom to be creative in her role and to provide meaningful activities, experiences and special days out for the residents at Pitcairn Lodge. For her, one of the best things about working in care is that everyone is different and no two days are ever the same.
Rather than focusing on big milestones, Gillian is particularly proud of the small wins that make a real difference to people’s lives and the fantastic relationships she has built with residents, their families and her colleagues over the years.
Outside of work, Gillian says her biggest achievement is her children. When she isn’t spending time with her family, she enjoys trips out with the kids and going to heavy metal gigs with her partner.
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