Tuesday September 29th 2026
Nazareth House Bonnyrigg
Written by Midlothian View Reporter, Liam Eunson
A cherished Midlothian care home has been named Scotland’s Residential Care Home of the Year after staff worked “tirelessly” to transform the service.
Nazareth House Bonnyrigg has won the Prestige Awards Residential Care Home of the Year (Scotland) 2026/27, following a major turnaround at the 37-bed charitable care home.
The home, which has been occupied by the Sisters of Nazareth since 1931, underwent a change in management around two-and-a-half years ago.
Since then, staff have worked to rebuild confidence, strengthen the running of the service and create a home that residents and their families can be proud of.
The Prestige Awards recognise businesses and individuals judged to have demonstrated excellence in their sector over the previous 12 months.
Nominations can come from colleagues, clients and customers, while the awards’ research team also identifies organisations it believes have exceeded industry expectations.
General Manager Bianca Courtney said the award was particularly meaningful given the changes made at Nazareth House Bonnyrigg over the past two-and-a-half years.
“I am incredibly proud of how far Nazareth House Bonnyrigg has come over the last two and a half years, but what makes me proudest isn’t the title on the award or the trophy that comes with it.
“It is the home, the team and the family we have created along the way.
“We may officially be a 37-bed care home, but as a team, we don’t see 37 beds. We see 37 grandparents — 37 individual people, each with a lifetime of memories, stories to tell, a family who loves them and a life that still has so much meaning.
“Somewhere along the way, our residents become part of our Nazareth family too. We share their laughter, celebrate their special moments, support them through the difficult ones and have the privilege of getting to know the person behind every bedroom door.
“Their families place an enormous amount of trust in all of us when they choose Nazareth House, and being trusted to become part of their loved one’s life is something our whole team will never take for granted.
“Nazareth House isn’t simply a place where people come to receive care. It is their home — and together, we are incredibly proud to be part of the family that makes it feel that way.”
Over the past two-and-a-half years, the home has introduced strengthened governance and auditing processes, invested in staff training and development, improved staff retention and worked to build relationships with health and social care professionals.
Staff have also sought to rebuild confidence among families and the wider Bonnyrigg community.
Ms Courtney said the biggest changes could not necessarily be measured through paperwork or figures.
“It is how the home feels now when you walk through the door,” she said.
The care home has introduced a number of facilities and activities designed to give residents greater independence and opportunities to socialise, including the Memory Lane Tavern, Muddy Duck café, The Snug, a secure allotment and its own minibus.
Ms Courtney said the aim was to ensure moving into residential care did not mean residents’ lives became restricted to the care home.
“We want our residents to continue going out, making memories, laughing, having fun and, most importantly, continuing to live their lives,” she said.
“When somebody comes to live at Nazareth House, they don’t leave their life at our front door.
“They bring 70, 80 or sometimes 90 years of memories and experiences with them.
“They have been someone’s mum, dad, gran, grandad, husband, wife, friend or neighbour. They have raised families, worked, travelled, laughed, loved and lived a whole lifetime before they ever needed us.
“Our responsibility isn’t simply to meet their care needs; it is to get to know the person behind those needs and make sure their story continues.”
She said the changes could be seen in everyday moments, from residents becoming more confident to friendships developing and staff taking the time to understand each individual’s preferences and needs.
Ms Courtney said the Scotland-wide award was recognition of the work carried out by the entire team.
“Being named Prestige Awards Residential Care Home of the Year (Scotland) is therefore incredibly emotional for all of us,” she said.
“We are a small home in Bonnyrigg, so to receive recognition on a Scotland-wide level is something we never take for granted.
“When I think about where the home was two and a half years ago, how much work has gone into changing the service and how many people have been part of that journey, it makes this recognition incredibly special.”
Nazareth House Bonnyrigg is a private, non-profit care home which accepts privately funded residents as well as placements funded or topped up by local authorities and the NHS.
Ms Courtney said the award would not mark the end of the home’s improvement journey.
“Winning this award doesn’t mean our journey is finished. If anything, it makes us even more determined to keep improving, keep learning, keep listening to our residents and families and keep finding new ways to make somebody’s day a little brighter.”
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