
All the staff are lovely, kind, attentive, and engagingSusan F(Daughter of Resident/Service User)



All the staff are lovely, kind, attentive, and engagingSusan F(Daughter of Resident/Service User)



Cairdean House is a modern, purpose-built care home in the beautiful village of Colinton, Edinburgh. The dedicated team offers specialist nursing, residential and dementia care within a home that has been designed with the needs of people living with dementia in mind.
Cairdean House has a homely feel and has been recently refurbished to ensure a premium, contemporary and comfortable environment. There are lots of spaces where residents can relax and...
Care Provided by Cairdean House
Primary Care Categories
- Older Person Care
- Dementia
- Mental Health Condition
- 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 90 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
- Near Public Transport
- Minibus or other transport
- Lift
- Wheelchair Access
- Gardens
- Bar/Café
- Phone Point in own room
- Television point in own room
- Residents Internet Access
Funding & Fees
Weekly Charges per Person
of care and support required by each individual. Premium rooms normally require an additional charge.
Nursing fees include the Funded Nursing Contribution (FNC) if you are eligible.
• All care and support including a monthly review of care plans
• All meals, snacks and drinks freshly prepared every day by our chef
• In-house café with homemade cakes, and a variety of speciality teas and coffees
• Use of in-house cinema
• Access to landscaped gardens
• Activities and lifestyle programme
• All utilities and other accommodation costs
• Housekeeping and laundry services
• WiFi internet access
appointments not covered by the NHS, toiletries, newspapers or magazines, any over the counter
medications that a GP wouldn’t normally prescribe such as paracetamol and indigestion relief, and any
other privately arranged healthcare. Should you require an escort to hospital appointments, we may apply
an agreed hourly charge for this service.
The price(s) shown are provided by the care home. Contact Cairdean House for full pricing details and T&Cs.
Contact Cairdean House 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
- Care UK
- Private Owned
Person in charge
- Angela Burns (Manager)
Local Authority / Social Services
Admission Information
- Ages 65+
Care Home Design/Build
- Purpose Built: Yes
- Year Purpose Built: 2013
- Last Refurbishment: 2013
Room Information
- Single Rooms (90)
- Single Rooms with ensuite Wet Room (90)
Parking
- Parking on-site
Cairdean House Reviews (124)
Cairdean House has a Review Score of 9.8 (9.838) out of 10, based on 31 reviews in the last 2 years.
Over all time Cairdean House has 124 reviews.
Cairdean is such a happy environment.
I feel confident and immense relief that dad is happy and safe there.
Thank you very much for taking the time to leave us feedback about your experience. Your dad is settling in so well and we feel he has been with us for a long time too! Thank you for the lovely comments and we really are so happy he is enjoying his stay. Kind regards
What visiting cairdean nursing home? I have received amazing Help from the business administrator and all of the nursing reception management staff nothing is a bother and they can't do enough to assist me. Thank you to everybody for making me feel so welcome today and my small assistance, animal whilst I was on site today I look forward greatly to coming back to seeing the team cairdean
Since our friend moved to CH last July, we have not found one thing to criticise. I would recommend CH to anyone. We no longer have to worry about her, as we know she is in a safe environment and being looked after by caring staff.
Thank you very much for taking the time to leave us feedback about your experience. We really do appreciate such lovely feedback and to know your friend is very settled is excellent. At Cairdean House Care Home - Care UK we set a high standard for ourselves, so we are very pleased to hear that your experience with us has been a positive one.Kind regards
I moved my friend to Cairdean House six months ago. Having reviewed many care homes Cairdean House was my choice. The friendly staff and the wonderful activity provided made it the obvious choice. In the six months that my friend has spent in Cairdean I am happy to say that she has settled in very happily.
Thank you very much for taking the time to share your thoughts on the home and how well your friend has settled in. At Cairdean House Care Home - Care UK we set a high standard for ourselves, so we are very pleased to hear that your experience with us has been a positive one. Kind regards
A family lunch in the fine dining was beautifully catered for & enjoyed by all.
Admission went well & the lady was very helpful allowing us to put things in her room before she arrived from hospital.
A wide range of activities are available, which Mum enjoys & the hair salon is a plus.
We are given weekly schedules which allow us to plan when to visit.
Thank you very much for taking the time to leave us feedback about your experience. At Cairdean House Care Home - Care UK we set a high standard for ourselves, so we are very pleased to hear that your experience with us has been a positive one.
Since her admission on 10th December 2024 Mum has found it a bit difficult to settle in but I think we are now beginning to see some progress. It has been a difficult time for her but, for the most part, has not been the fault of Cairdean who, when made aware of the situation, have made every effort to improve things. On the whole, we, as relatives, have found Cairdean to be spacious and welcoming with the staff being very approachable and friendly.
Thank you very much for taking the time to leave us feedback about your experience. We're really pleased to know that you're starting to see some positive progress. Transitions can be challenging, and we're committed to supporting residents and their families every step of the way. At Cairdean...
I am extremely pleased with the way he has settled at Cairdean and I feel it is due to the care and attention he has received from all staff especially his immediate team of carers and also due to the comfortable and stimulating surroundings.
Thank you very much for taking the time to leave us feedback about your experience. At Cairdean House Care Home - Care UK we set a high standard for ourselves, so we are very pleased to hear that your experience with us has been a positive one. Thank you for your time.
The home has a lovely family atmosphere,and staff are welcoming, caring and attentive.
Since moving in, she has settled in well. She loves all the staff and has become friendly with several of the residents. She hadn't been able to go out very much in the last couple of years and was very lonely. She seems much happier now.
There was a minor issue with the food. She complained about the quality and the portion size. When it was brought to the staff's attention, they dealt with it quickly. She now seems to have fewer complaints about the food.
I can't fault the cleanliness of the home. Everything is always spotless and very tidy.
The most important thing to me is that I know my mum is comfortable, safe and being well looked after.
As someone who has always been protective of her privacy and independence, it was not an easy move for her to make.
The sensitivity and understanding of the Cairdean staff - both management and care staff - was instrumental in reassuring my mother and myself that the move was the right one. This included a 2 week trial stay.
On moving permanently, mum was initially unhappy with the noise near her newly allocated room. When this was raised, she was moved to a new room. This was done promptly and readily by Cairdean management recognising an opportunity to show my mother that her comfort was paramount.
Since my mother has become a resident at Cairdean, I see her building new relationships with staff and residents, growing in confidence in her new environment that is empowering and stimulating for her - which is wonderful to see.
Thank you very much for taking the time to leave such a lovely review. We really appreciate such positive feedback and it is lovely to see your mother settling so well!
We are incredibly grateful for the support we received in settling Mum into the care home as it was a challenging time. The team's attention to detail and genuine willingness to answer all our questions and provide valuable advice made the entire process much smoother. A special thank you to the care home manager for her exceptional care and attention, which really made a difference. We truly appreciate all the kindness and professionalism shown. Thank you!
Thank you very much for taking the time to leave us feedback about your experience. At Cairdean House Care Home - Care UK we set a high standard for ourselves, so we are very pleased to hear that your experience with us has been a positive one.
Her room is bright and airy and looks onto the garden.
The staff have been simply amazing. They are so helpful and friendly. She is looked after 24 hours a day which is very reassuring for me.
There is a great variety of daily activities to participate in.
We are always made to feel welcome when we visit and the staff are very good at keeping me up to date.
Dad's admission to Cairdean was made much easier with the support of the Customer Relations Manager who was very informative and welcoming. She was waiting for us on arrival and introduced us to all the staff and ensured all was ready in Dad's room. It took some time for Dad to adjust but he was able to form good relationships with staff and they have all been kind and helpful. The rooms and environment are lovely but the garden and smoking area could be improved with the addition of a covered area. On a couple of occasions, Dad was left without his hearing aids and glasses which hampered his communication but this was the exception and overall he was well cared for and I would certainly recommend Cairdean to others.
Thank you very much for taking the time to leave us feedback about your experience. At Cairdean House Care Home - Care UK we set a high standard for ourselves, so we are very pleased to hear that your experience with us has been a positive one.
My mother moved to Cairdean a couple of months ago. We are thrilled with the care she has received and how attentive they have been to her needs. The manager was helpful to an extent beyond what I would have expected and has communicated with me a number of times to check in that Mum was settling okay from my point of view. The home has a lovely atmosphere and the staff is great. Mum's first comment on moving in was about how nice the food is - that's important! I would recommend Cairdean to others searching for a care home.
Hi Scott, thank you very much for taking the time to leave us feedback about your experience. At Cairdean House Care Home - Care UK we set a high standard for ourselves, so we are very pleased to hear that your experience with us has been a positive one.
Arranging respite for my husband was very straightforward and communication was excellent throughout. I was able to visit beforehand and was given a lot of information about what would happen before, during, and after respite. The staff were friendly, caring, and respectful and made our family feel very welcome. They also made sure my husband was able to join in the many activities on offer, as well as getting outside regularly, which is very important to him. With all this in mind, we had peace of mind knowing he was being well cared for during his stay, and would highly recommend Cairdean.
Thank you very much for taking the time to leave us feedback about your experience and of course lovely comments towards our team. At Cairdean House Care Home - Care UK we set a high standard for ourselves, so we are very pleased to hear that your experience with us has been a positive one. Kind regards - Customer Relations Manager.
Our mother's entry to the care home went well. A home visit was made to meet her and find out her medical and support needs. When we arrived, the staff from her unit came down to meet and welcome her.
Our mother has settled in well and her room is lovely. It is always clean and tidy. My brother and I are happy with the care our mother has received so far.
Thank you very much for taking the time to leave us feedback about your experience. We are very pleased to hear that your experience with us has been a positive one and we appreciate such a lovely review. Kind regards.
We narrowed it down to three care homes in the local area and thought Cairdean was the best due to its purpose built nature, brightness, modernity and most importantly the staff.
From first contacting Cairdean we were made to feel welcome. We were shown around the home and impressed with the facilities. Then when it became apparent that my mother urgently needed to be in a care home (due to being deemed a fall risk) Cairdean pulled out all the stops to get our mother in very quickly.
My mother has a nice room, is fed good quality meals, has activities to join in but most importantly is being looked after 24 hours a day which is a great relief. Having been in six weeks my mother looks a lot healthier, is more alert and is moving more.
We are also made to feel welcome every time we visit, including our dog!
Thank you very much for taking the time to leave us a review about your experience. At Cairdean House Care Home - Care UK we set a high standard for ourselves, so we are very pleased to hear that your experience with us has been a positive one.
Rooms are spacious, clean and comfortable which Dad was able to adapt with some of his personal belongings to 'make it his own'. Good to see that some units are being brought back up to standard under the current refurbishment programme.
A nutritional array of food is offered and, as a family, we have celebrated several special occasions, including birthdays, catered for by the in-house chef and Catering team.
In the past Dad has benefited from trips on the barge to Ratho and he particularly enjoys singing along with a variety of musical entertainers who regularly perform in the café area. Dad enjoys the interaction with animals when visits are coordinated by the Activities team.
In recent months, a high turnover of staff and changes at management level have resulted in a distinct lack of essential continuity. Reliance on agency staff at weekends can make the quality of care more variable. This is being addressed, under the new Management team, with staffing believed to be at full capacity and training underway. Any negative aspects, concerns or issues, when brought to the attention of the Management team, have been satisfactorily resolved.
Regular and very experienced staff are excellent in their professional approach and take responsibility for care seriously, getting to know and building a rapport with Dad and his family. They are kind, caring and respectful towards Dad. Dad's care and wellbeing will always be our first priority and we are happy to be a part of the 'Cairdean family'.
Thank you for taking the time to leave us a review with such kind comments towards our wonderful staff, facilities and catering, as well as our engaging activities schedule, homely feel and the way our dedicated team helped your father move into the home and made it as stress-free as possible. At...
We are made very welcome each time we visit and the move has had a very positive impact on my mother’s well-being.
Hi, thank you very much for taking the time to leave us feedback about your experience. We are very pleased to hear that your experience with us has been a positive one and we appreciate such a lovely review. Kind regards
Mum moved into Cairdean in January 2024 after having carers in her own home. I felt it was the right place for her from the minute I called to arrange to view the home, the tone of the call and the care shown about Mum was lovely. On Mum being offered a place she moved in and was met at the door and welcomed into the home by the customer relations manager who looked after Mum and showed her to her unit. All the staff on duty that day popped in to see Mum while the necessary forms and questions were discussed. It helped to have a friend with me and she took Mum to look around while I continued passing on as much as I could about Mum's likes and other necessary information. Immediately it felt like the right place for Mum. She is now enjoying all the activities on offer and has never looked better. The staff are all lovely and can't do enough for Mum.
Thank you for rating your overall experience with Cairdean House as 5 stars. We are delighted to hear you are happy with the care your mum is receiving and with your comments about our team. Thank you for taking the time to review us and for sharing your feedback and your lovely comments. Kind regards.
Bed Vacancies
Please contact us for latest vacancies.
News (42) & Events (0)
- 29 May 2026
Care UK’s commitment to supporting residents has been nationally recognised, as the organisation took home the large care provider of the year accolade at the 2026 Care Home Awards. At...
- 29 May 2026
Residents in Care UK homes love getting out and about in nature where they can and, for one Dorset-based home, they’re celebrating World Bee Day with a buzz! Wimborne-based home,...
- 29 May 2026
Colleagues across Care UK are celebrating after being shortlisted in eleven categories at the Stars of Social Care Awards, the most the company has ever been shortlisted in at the...
There are no upcoming events for Cairdean House.
Accreditations
There are no accreditations posted yet for Cairdean House.
Meet the Team (1)

I’m proud to be the home manager at Cairdean House care home. I’ve been a qualified nurse for over 40 years and have managed care homes for the past 18 years. Along the way, I’ve completed my SVQ 4 in management, all mandatory training and hold certificates in working with children with special needs and in inclusion skills.
I chose to work at Care UK because of its strong reputation as a good company. In my role, it’s important to be open, honest, organised, and to have a good sense of humour. Having strong listening skills and responding to issues in a timely manner is essential.
My favourite part of the day is walking around the home, chatting with staff, residents and relatives, and looking for ways to continue improving our environment. One of my proudest achievements was commissioning a care home from a building site into a luxury care setting.
It’s incredibly rewarding to see residents enjoying some well-deserved self-care, feeling happy and getting involved in activities. It’s also great to receive good ratings from external and internal inspections.
Outside of work, I enjoy music, singing and spending time with my granddaughter.
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