Meallmore Finalist at 2026 Scottish Excellence Awards

Meallmore is thrilled to announce that we have been shortlisted as a finalist at the prestigious 2026 Scottish Excellence Awards - one of Scotland’s most respected celebrations of outstanding performance in hospitality, food service, and tourism.

These awards champion organisations and teams driving excellence, innovation, and leadership in the hospitality sector. Now in their 20+ year history, the Scottish Excellence Awards recognise operators who go above and beyond - setting industry benchmarks through quality, service, creativity, and sustainable growth.

Being recognised alongside Scotland’s leading hospitality and service organisations reflects the depth of Meallmore’s focus on exceptional hospitality, dining experience, and resident wellbeing. It’s further evidence that our approach to care - where hospitality and care excellence are joined at the heart - is truly making a difference.

A Year of Success and Recognition

This nomination comes at a time of remarkable momentum for Meallmore, following a string of achievements that confirm our position as one of the UK’s most respected care home groups:

Top 20 Large Care Home Group in the UK (2026)

Most recently, Meallmore was named one of the Top 20 Large Care Home Groups in the UK for 2026 by carehome.co.uk - the only fully Scottish-based provider to receive this distinction. This honour is based entirely on verified resident, family and friend reviews, underscoring the real-world impact of our care and service.

Champions of Kitchen and Hospitality Excellence

Last year, our Academy of Kitchen Care Excellence was celebrated at the Scottish Care Awards, winning for our outstanding contribution to catering and dining in care settings. Our kitchen teams’ award recognitions are a testament to the innovation, skill, and passion we bring to every meal experience - redefining what hospitality means in care homes across Scotland.

These achievements speak to more than winning trophies - they reflect our unwavering commitment to quality, resident wellbeing, staff development, and the hospitality-led culture that runs through everything we do at Meallmore.

Hospitality as an Integral Part of Our Care Vision

At Meallmore, hospitality isn’t an “add-on” to care - it’s built into the experience of living with us. From the way we welcome families through the door, to the standard of dining, to the pride our teams take in creating real comfort and connection every day, hospitality is a core part of how we support wellbeing.

That’s exactly why we’re proud to be recognised as finalists in two categories at the Scottish Excellence Awards - both of which speak directly to the culture we’ve worked hard to build.

Finalists: People-first hospitality that lasts

Meallmore has been shortlisted for The Employee Engagement and Retention Award (sponsored by Caterer.com) - a category that celebrates organisations creating the kind of working environment people want to stay in and grow within.

In a sector where retention is one of the biggest challenges, this recognition matters. Because great care and great hospitality don’t happen by accident - they happen when colleagues feel supported, developed, listened to, and genuinely proud of what they do. Our teams are the heartbeat of every home, and this finalist place reflects our focus on creating workplaces where people feel valued and where standards stay consistently high.

Finalists: Celebrating hospitality leadership in learning and development

We’re also delighted that Jody Marshall, Head of Hospitality and Catering at Meallmore, has been shortlisted for The Hospitality Trainer of the Year Award (co-sponsored by Focus Group).

This recognition is particularly meaningful because training is where standards become culture. Jody's work reflects Meallmore’s belief that hospitality in care deserves the same level of professionalism, pride and progression you’d expect in the very best of the wider hospitality world - with learning that empowers teams, raises confidence, and strengthens the daily experience for residents.

It also builds brilliantly on the success of our Academy of Kitchen Care Excellence, which won at the Scottish Care Awards last year - reinforcing our commitment to developing talent, investing in our people, and continually raising the bar in care dining and hospitality.

Hospitality that supports dignity, independence, and quality of life

For our residents, this focus shows up in the details that matter most:

• Meals that are not only nutritious, but something to genuinely look forward to
• Dining experiences shaped by choice, routine, and personal preference
• Warm, welcoming environments that feel like home — not clinical settings
• Colleagues who bring professionalism, personality, and pride to every interaction

Ultimately, these finalist nominations are about people - the residents who experience Meallmore care homes every day, and the colleagues who make it happen. They reflect a simple truth we’re proud to stand by:

When hospitality is done well in care, quality of life improves - and communities within our homes thrive.

Looking Forward: New Homes, New Opportunities

This year also marks an exciting chapter in Meallmore’s continued growth across Scotland. With major developments progressing in Aberdeen, Broughty Ferry and Clarkston, we are expanding with purpose - creating thoughtfully designed homes that reflect our commitment to hospitality, dignity and person-centred care.

Aberdeen – Pitfodels Wood Care Home

In Aberdeen, Pitfodels Wood Care Home will introduce a contemporary, purpose-built environment designed around comfort and accessibility. Featuring private en-suite bedrooms, a café, cinema, hair and beauty salon, private dining space and welcoming communal lounges, the home is being developed to set a new benchmark for hospitality-led residential and dementia care in the region.

Broughty Ferry – Sutherland House

Sutherland House Care Home in Broughty Ferry is a 54-bedroom purpose-built development opening in early 2027. Designed to offer residential, nursing and dementia care in a modern coastal setting, the home will include café and cinema facilities, private dining, a salon and beautifully designed social spaces - creating a vibrant and community-connected place to live and work.

Clarkston – East Renfrewshire Development

In Clarkston, Meallmore is progressing plans for a new high-quality care development in East Renfrewshire. The home will combine contemporary design with strong community integration, offering private en-suite accommodation and flexible communal spaces that prioritise comfort, connection and independence from day one.

Together, these developments reflect our ambition to continue raising standards - ensuring that as we grow, we remain focused on delivering excellent care in great places to live and work.

Celebrating the Journey Ahead

We extend our heartfelt thanks to our colleagues, residents, families and supporters whose passion, feedback and trust have powered this journey. Every finalist nomination and award — from the Top 20 UK care homes accolade, to our Scottish Care Award wins, and now the Scottish Excellence Awards finalist recognition - tells a story of shared dedication to quality and genuine care.

The Scottish Excellence Awards ceremony will take place later this spring. As we celebrate this latest milestone, we look forward to the opportunity to represent the best of how care meets hospitality — and continue raising the bar for excellence in Scotland’s care sector.