Edinburgh care home wins big at national awards

A care home in Edinburgh is celebrating after being recognised for its outstanding and consistent approach to care.   

Murrayside, on South Beechwood in Corstorphine, was crowned home of the year at the Care UK Stars Awards 2026 – a ceremony that celebrates individual and team excellence at more than 250 care homes across the UK. 

This accolade is presented to the home that delivers the most outstanding and consistent care and recognises team members who go above and beyond to achieve this.

The team at Murrayside, who achieved strong 5s in their most recent Care Inspectorate rating, were praised for their compassionate and person-centred approach to care, ensuring residents lead fulfilling lives with a strong sense of purpose. 

Judges noted that time is taken to get to know each resident’s history, preferences and wishes, ensuring their final days reflect what matters most to them – from favourite music and scents to the presence of loved ones. The team has even hosted services and wakes for residents without nearby family, giving colleagues and fellow residents the chance to pay their respects.

Suzanne Welsh, Home Manager at Murrayside, said: “We’re delighted to be crowned care home of the year! Winning this award showcases every team member’s commitment and the hard work they put in each day to make Murrayside a wonderful place to live and work.”

Murrayside’s dedication to meaningful experiences also shines through its wish‑granting efforts. One recent experience saw a resident revisit her lifelong passion for skating, which helped bring back happy memories. The impact of these meaningful wishes has given residents the confidence to do things they thought were no longer possible.

Empowering residents to maintain independence wherever possible, the team encourages involvement in day-to-day home life. This includes welcoming visitors at reception as well as contributing to mealtimes, helping residents feel valued and purposeful.

Suzanne added: “We believe in promoting independence and enabling residents to lead rewarding lives. Every member of the team goes the extra mile for residents, and their determination to provide the highest possible standards of care never wavers. To see this recognised at a national level means so much to us all.”

Murrayside is a state-of-the-art care home that incorporates plenty of space for leisure activities and hobbies, including a cinema, hair and beauty salon and pub. The layout of the building is configured into a series of individual suites, each having a dedicated lounge/dining room to facilitate the creation of close-knit communities. 

The home has also been recognised for its outstanding approach to palliative and end-of-life care at the Scottish Care National Care Home Awards and is an official 'Veteran Friendly Framework' accredited care home.