The Sunday Times

The Sunday Times Care Home League Table 2025

Scotland's No.1 care home

Wardside House in Muthill, Perthshire, came top of The Sunday Times ranking of care homes across Scotland. The ranking is built on independent Care Inspectorate grades.

29/30

Our overall score, the highest in Scotland

  • Wellbeing6 · Excellent
  • Leadership6 · Excellent
  • Staff team6 · Excellent
  • Care & support6 · Excellent
  • Setting5 · Very good

How the ranking works

1

Independent inspection

The Care Inspectorate, Scotland's care regulator, inspects care homes, usually unannounced, and grades each one in five areas.

2

Graded out of six

Each area gets a grade from 1 (unsatisfactory) to 6 (excellent). The inspectors talk to residents, families and staff and watch day-to-day care.

3

Scored out of 30

The Sunday Times adds the five grades together into a score out of 30 and ranks every home. Wardside came top with 29.

Our latest inspection was in March 2025. Read the Care Inspectorate report · Read the Sunday Times article (PDF)

Residents experienced “warmth, kindness and compassion” from staff.

The Sunday Times, November 2025

What sits behind the score

A league table is a number. For the people who live here it comes down to a few simple things that we refuse to compromise on.

More staff than residents

We have more staff than residents, so nobody is rushed. Inspectors found that staff “had sufficient time to support people according to their needs.”

No agency staff. Ever.

Residents see the same faces every day. Many of our team have been here 10–15 years, one for 38. Every carer holds SVQ Level 2 or above.

Days with purpose

Crafts, gardening, games and village life. Inspectors saw “positive relationships, humour, fun and friendly interactions.”

What it means for your family

Choosing a care home is one of the hardest decisions a family makes. Our ranking gives you independent evidence to go on, not just our word.

Whether you need a short break or a permanent home for someone you love, you'll find the same team and the same standard of care.

“Thank you to all the staff at Wardside for your care and attention during the week in July when I stayed with you.”

Mr Tom Buyers, respite resident

See it for yourself

The best way to understand Wardside is to visit. Come for a cup of tea, meet the team and look around.

care@wardsidehouse.com · Muthill, Crieff, Perthshire PH5 2AS