What Life at Meallmore Really Looks Like

Aileen didn't have long to find the right care home for her aunt Christina.

A phone call from the doctor. Three days to make one of the most important decisions of her life. And one early mistake that made the next choice feel even heavier.

Then she found Meallmore.

"The staff are wonderful," she says. "They know Chris's needs, and they're so attentive to her. If there's any problems or anything wrong, they will phone us and let us know exactly what's going on."

Her cousin Maureen agrees. "We know she's safe in here. They're always willing to answer any questions. They've always put our mind at ease."

That peace of mind - the kind that lets families breathe again - is what life at Meallmore is built around.

More Than a Care Home

Choosing care for someone you love is rarely straightforward. It often happens quickly, under pressure, and at a time when families are already stretched. What people need most isn't a list of facilities. It's trust.

At Meallmore, that trust is built one conversation at a time.

"They don't just go ahead and do things," Maureen explains. "They are good at saying, phoning and asking first."

This is what person-centred care looks like in practice. It's not a policy on a wall. It's a phone call before a decision. It's knowing a resident's name, their preferences, what makes them feel settled. It's the difference between care that's delivered and care that's genuinely felt.

Across Meallmore's 27 homes in Scotland, that approach is consistent. Every home is different in character - from the Highland settings of Culduthel and Daviot in Inverness to Kelvinside Manor in Glasgow's West End, which opened in 2025 - but the values running through all of them are the same.

What Families Tell Us

Aileen and Maureen's experience isn't unique. It's one of hundreds of similar stories shared by families across Scotland.

One family wrote about their father's arrival at Meallmore: "Within an hour of arrival, Dad was receiving a bowl of homemade soup. He has put on weight, is now talking, participating in activities, and enjoying a loving and caring environment. We cannot thank the staff enough."

Another described what the final days of their mother's life looked like at Meallmore: "The care given at this time was beyond my expectations. I can without hesitation say the management and staff gave my mum their devoted time and professional care. But most of all, that final day, the palliative care given is why I can thank everyone."

These aren't marketing messages. They're the words of real families, written in moments that matter.

Recognised for the Care That Counts Most

In early 2026, those family voices translated into national recognition.

Meallmore was named one of the Top 20 Large Care Home Groups in the UK by carehome.co.uk - the only Scottish provider to make the list. The award is based entirely on reviews from residents, families, and loved ones, making it one of the most meaningful benchmarks in the sector.

The group's 9.5 average rating across its homes is among the highest in the UK. Hilton Court Care Home in Dunfermline achieved a near-perfect score of 9.9. St Olaf in Nairn scored 9.8. Manor Care Centre in Nairn 9.7. Culduthel in Inverness 9.7.

Meallmore CEO, Cillian Hennessey - recognised in the HealthInvestor Power List 2025 as one of the UK's most influential care leaders - spoke plainly about what the award means: "This is outstanding recognition, reflecting the care, professionalism and dedication shown across all 27 of our homes every day. It is particularly special as the awards are based solely on reviews from our residents and their families - meaning we're making a difference to the people who really matter."

Meallmore also celebrated wins at the Scottish Care Awards 2025 across innovation, activity, and staff development - recognition of a team that go above and beyond, every single day.

A Life, Not Just a Placement

Meallmore was founded in 1987 with a single nursing home in Daviot, just south of Inverness. In its 40th year, the organisation employs over 2,000 colleagues and supports hundreds of residents across Scotland - from the Highlands to Glasgow, Fife, and Aberdeenshire.

What hasn't changed is the belief that a move into a care home doesn't mark the end of a life well-lived. It opens a new chapter.

Activities coordinators, chefs, nurses, and carers work alongside each other every day to make sure that chapter has meaning. Fresh meals made from scratch. Activities shaped around individual interests. Gardens to sit in. Conversations that go beyond care plans.

New homes are currently in development, including Pitfodels Wood in Aberdeen, which opens Spring 2026, as Meallmore continues to grow the number of families it can support across Scotland.

Finding the Right Home

If you're in the position Aileen found herself in - searching quickly, under pressure, trying to make the right call - the most important thing is to speak to someone who can help.

At Meallmore, our teams are available to talk through your options, answer your questions, and arrange a visit to any of our homes at a time that works for you.

"We would recommend it," says Maureen, without hesitation.

That's the kind of recommendation we work every single day to deserve.

Book a viewing or speak to our team today at meallmore.co.uk