






Erskine Edinburgh is part of Erskine Veterans Charity and is proud to care for veterans and their spouses. The Erskine Edinburgh Home opened in 2002 and is situated in the heart of Gilmerton, on the south side of Edinburgh. The purpose-built accommodation provides 24-hour nursing and dementia care for 40 residents.
Erskine Edinburgh Home enjoys a close association with the serving Armed Forces, sharing its landscaped grounds with the Army's Personnel Recovery Unit and Veterans Housing Association.
Care Provided by Erskine Edinburgh Home
Primary Care Categories
- Older Person Care
- Dementia
- Physical Disability
Length of Stay
- Permanent Care
Care Types Provided
- Residential Care
- Nursing Care
- Dementia Residential Care
- Dementia Nursing Care
- For a maximum of 40 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
- Advanced/Complex Dementia
Other Care Provided
- Parkinson's Disease
- Stroke
- Palliative / End of Life Care
- COPD/Pulmonary Disease
Facilities
- Own Furniture if required
- Pet Friendly (or by arrangement)
- Smoking not permitted
- Close to Local shops
- Near Public Transport
- Minibus or other transport
- Lift
- Wheelchair Access
- Gardens
- Phone Point in own room
- Television point in own room
- Residents Internet Access
Funding & Fees
Weekly Charges per Person
The price(s) shown are provided by the care home. Contact Erskine Edinburgh Home for full pricing details and T&Cs.
Contact Erskine Edinburgh Home to confirm what's included and get a personalised quote:
Funding Types Accepted
- Self-Funding (Private)
- Local Authority with Top-up
- Local Authority
Support you may be entitled to
- If you choose a care home based in Scotland, you may be eligible for the Scottish Government's Free Personal Care funding of up to £260.30 per week (if you are over the age of 65) and Free Nursing Care funding of up to £117.10 per week. This support is not reflected in this fee amount.
Good to Know
Group / Owner
- Erskine Veterans Charity
- Voluntary / Not for Profit Owned
Person in charge
- Alison Payne (Home Manager)
Local Authority / Social Services
Admission Information
- Mixed (no single-gender units)
- Ages 40+
- To be eligible for admission, individuals must have served at least one day in the Armed Forces (Regular, National Service, or Reserves) or the Merchant Marine on active service. Members of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary or Home Guard, and the spouses, widows, or widowers of those who served (unless remarried), are also eligible.
Care Home Design/Build
- Purpose Built: Yes
- Year Purpose Built: 2001
- Last Refurbishment: 2025
- Number of floors: 2
Room Information
- Single Rooms (40)
- Single Rooms with ensuite Wet Room (40)
Visiting
- If you would like to have a look round the home then please contact the main reception to book this. In order to have a look around the houses you must have an active application submitted to the home through the Moving In process.
Parking
- Free parking on site at the front of the home.
Erskine Edinburgh Home Reviews (10)
Over all time Erskine Edinburgh Home has 10 reviews.
My father was a resident in Rivers for 5 years suffering from Alzheimer’s. The care he/we received from everyone at Erskine Edinburgh Home was exemplary. It was an extremely difficult time for our family as we slowly watched our Dad/Husband slip away. As we all came to terms with losing him in mind but not body and had no idea how long he would stay in that state. Our family were comforted by the excellent care he was receiving and the fact that he was in such good hands. We visited regularly and became part of the Family in Rivers. As Dad got worse they adjusted effortlessly to the next step in his care. This weekend Dad finally broke free of the prison that was Alzheimer’s and passed. Erskine Home once again were there supporting us and Dad right up to the very end and beyond. We can not thank them enough for being there for our family for the whole journey.
The care my friend received at Erskine Edinburgh Home was superb, above and beyond the call of duty. His room, meals, care, social life in their care were all first class. The staff and carers are just wonderful. My friend enjoyed and loved the time he spent there which was a tremendous relief to friends and family.
The decoration of bright colours of orange/yellows/reds and creams in their sitting/dining room is lovely for the residents and visitors. The friendliness from the reception as you enter goes a long way to make this care home a very pleasant place to be.
I recommended Erskine Edinburgh Home for a friend who was struggling to care for her 97-year-old mum at home. Within three weeks of putting her name on the waiting list, a bed became available. Although my friend was only in the Erskine for just over three months, she was treated with dignity and the utmost respect.
Particular thanks to the staff of Craiglockhart House, for the excellent care and dignity shown not just to my friend but all the family, especially in the last three days of her life - your kindness will never be forgotten! I will always recommend Erskine Edinburgh Home to anyone requiring nursing home care.
Without exception, the staff are friendly. Positive and fully committed - often in very challenging circumstances.
It is wonderful to think that men and women who gave so much are treated with dignity, respect and warmth making them feel wanted and valued.
I cannot thank everyone at Erskine enough.
Having volunteered for other nursing homes, Erskine Edinburgh Home is the best in every area of care.
From the management to the carers, everyone is so hands on. Nothing is too much bother. To watch your loved one change before your eyes is very hard to understand but the staff are always there to help you cope. I couldn't ask for a better "gang" of people to look after my beloved husband. Thank you.
I am visiting from the USA to spend time with my 91 year old brother in the dementia wing. I had visited him 6 months ago when he was in a private care home and was worried about his well-being. But no such worries here. He is so much more brighter and so well-groomed. It is a pleasure for me to see a huge smile of his face whenever a carer attends to him and to see the encouragement and support he receives from all the care and activities staff. It has been truly inspirational for me to witness the joy that you bring into the lives of our veterans. Thank you.
My father has been a resident for the last three years, it was his wish when his dementia got worse that he wanted to be admitted to Erskine House. He has been very happy in this home, he will be 100 years old in March. He thinks it is the best home in Scotland and I have to agree with him. He is well cared for, his accommodation is excellent, staff are very friendly and take good care of him. The food is very good and they are entertained well also. I am wanting to put my name down on their list.
Regulatory Rating
Care Inspectorate (CI) Rating
Date: 14 May 2026- How well do we support people's wellbeing?Good
(4)
- How good is our leadership?Good
(4)
- How good is our staff team?Very Good
(5)
- How good is our setting?Very Good
(5)
- How well is care and support planned?Very Good
(5)
Bed Vacancies
Please contact us for latest vacancies.
News (0) & Events (0)
There are no news items for Erskine Edinburgh Home.
There are no upcoming events for Erskine Edinburgh Home.
Awards / Recognitions (0)
There are currently no awards/recognitions posted yet for Erskine Edinburgh Home.
Accreditations
There are no accreditations posted yet for Erskine Edinburgh Home.
Meet the Team (1)

Alison has been with Erskine since August 2011, when she started her time as House Manager of Rothesay Wing, and in March 2012, she was promoted to the post of Home Manager. Alison has worked in social care for 22 years and is an advocate for Nurses in social care, as well as having a passion for person-centred practice and mental health and well-being.
Frequently Asked Questions about Erskine Edinburgh Home
What types of Care is Erskine Edinburgh Home registered for?
Older Person Care, Dementia, Physical Disability are the registered (by the Care Quality Commission) categories of Care.
How many Rooms does Erskine Edinburgh Home have?
There are 40 Single Rooms.
What are the Facilities & Services at Erskine Edinburgh Home?
Own Furniture if required, Pet Friendly (or by arrangement), Smoking not permitted, Close to Local shops, Near Public Transport, Minibus or other transport, Lift, Wheelchair Access, Gardens, Phone Point in own room, Television point in own room, Residents Internet Access are some of the Facilities & Services.
How far is Erskine Edinburgh Home to the centre of Edinburgh?
3.3 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 Erskine Edinburgh Home to verify any information. View our terms and conditions. Erskine Edinburgh Home has an Enhanced Service -more info.