Companionship careEast Lothian
Keeping up the things they love is most of what makes a day good. 52 vetted live-in carers could come to live in East Lothian. This page shows what they enjoy, what East Lothian offers for each interest, and how to find someone who shares your mother's or father's.
47 carers near East Lothian have told us what they enjoy
What the carers enjoy
Live-in carers move in rather than travel each day, so the choice reaches well beyond the county: 52 are within about three hours of East Lothian. These are the interests on the profiles of the nearest of them. Tap one to see what East Lothian offers for it.
Listed by manyLess common, so a better matchFrom the profiles of the 52 nearest live-in carers within about three hours of East Lothian, September 2026; 47 of them list interests.
Common ground is easy
Most carers list walking, cooking & baking and music. If that is what your mother or father enjoys, nearly anyone will share it, so choose on the things that matter more: experience, manner and whether they get on.
The less common interests
Fewer carers list these, which is exactly why they are worth searching on. Someone who shares a real passion makes a long week go quickly.
Carers choose the interests on their own profiles. A shared hobby is a good start, not a guarantee, so talk about it when you meet them.
Interest 1
East Lothian pairs a long, open coastline of sandy bays and harbours with quiet farmland and the low Lammermuir Hills, so walks can be as gentle or as ambitious as the day allows.
41 of 47live-in carers we looked at
list walking
Somewhere to go
Dunbar
A long distance route named after the Dunbar born conservationist, with flat coastal and parkland sections around Dunbar, Aberlady and Prestonpans that can be walked in short stretches. A carer can drive to one waymarked section, walk out and back at an easy pace, and plan a bench or cafe stop rather than a full stage.
Source: visiteastlothian.org. Check opening times and access before you go.
Somewhere to go
Aberlady Bay Local Nature Reserve, Aberlady
Britain's first local nature reserve, a wide sandy bay and saltmarsh known for wintering geese and waders. A carer could bring binoculars and a flask, keep to the firmer tracks near the car park, and turn back whenever energy runs short.
Source: en.wikipedia.org. Check opening times and access before you go.
How a companion helps
A companion walks at their pace, knows when to turn back, and drives to the flat, well-surfaced routes so a short walk is still possible when a long one is not.
Live-in carers who enjoy walkingSome who could come in East Lothian
Precious K.£165 a day23 yrsAlso enjoys dancing, cooking & baking, puzzles, reading
David R.£160 a day15 yrsAlso enjoys dancing, puzzles, socialising, board games
Evelyn S.£150 a day16 yrsAlso enjoys cooking & baking, puzzles, gardening, socialising
Tererai M.£152 a day12 yrsAlso enjoys painting, card games, cooking & baking, puzzlesInterest 2
Market gardens, arable farms and fishing harbours mean East Lothian cooking leans on local vegetables, grain and seafood.
35 of 47live-in carers we looked at
list cooking & baking
Local food
Musselburgh
A hardy old leek variety bred in the town and still recognised as a traditional Scottish food, the classic base for cock-a-leekie soup. A carer can pick up leeks at a local shop or market and do the chopping while an older cook directs the pot and tastes as it goes.
Source: fondazioneslowfood.com. Check opening times and access before you go.
Somewhere to go
Dunbar
A community owned bakery and cafe in Dunbar High Street selling bread and traditional baking. A carer could make it a weekly outing for a loaf and a coffee, and use what is bought as a prompt for baking together at home.
Getting around: Listed on Euan's Guide as a cafe and bakery with disabled access.
Source: euansguide.com. Check opening times and access before you go.
How a companion helps
A carer does the lifting, the hot trays and the washing up, so the recipes, the judging and the tasting stay with the person who knows them.
Live-in carers who enjoy cooking & bakingSome who could come in East Lothian
Interest 3
Small town halls, parish churches and seaside venues across the county host live music through the year, much of it classical or folk.
31 of 47live-in carers we looked at
list music
In the calendar
An annual classical music festival held each September in churches, halls and country houses around East Lothian. A carer can book seats near an aisle, handle the driving and parking, and choose a shorter afternoon concert rather than a late evening one.
Source: lammermuirfestival.co.uk. Check opening times and access before you go.
Somewhere to go
Haddington
A historic town centre hall used by East Lothian Council for concerts, shows and community events. A carer could check the programme for a matinee or seated gig, arrange a drop off close to the door, and go along as company.
Source: eastlothian.gov.uk. Check opening times and access before you go.
How a companion helps
Old records, a choir concert, singing along in the kitchen. Music often stays with people long after other things fade, and a companion who enjoys it makes it part of the day.
Live-in carers who enjoy musicSome who could come in East Lothian
Margaret I.£172 a day2 yrsAlso enjoys walking, reading, writing
Eve Sheba C.£160 a day2 yrsAlso enjoys walking, cooking & baking, puzzles, socialising
Patience T.£140 a day5 yrsAlso enjoys painting, walking, dancing, gardening
Sithembiso S.£132 a day20 yrsAlso enjoys dancing, cooking & baking, DIY, socialisingInterest 4
Every main town in the county has a public library, and East Lothian's own history and writers give plenty of local reading.
28 of 47live-in carers we looked at
list reading
Somewhere to go
Musselburgh
A branch of East Lothian Libraries with books, large print, audiobooks and regular activities. A carer could make a fortnightly trip part of the routine, help choose and renew books, and ask staff about any reading group or home delivery option.
Source: eastlothian.gov.uk. Check opening times and access before you go.
Somewhere to go
Haddington
The county town library, part of the East Lothian Libraries network with lending stock and local information. A carer can handle the bus or car journey, carry the bag of books, and sit in with an older reader over the newspapers.
Source: eastlothian.gov.uk. Check opening times and access before you go.
How a companion helps
Library trips, reading aloud when eyes tire, audiobooks set up and ready, and somebody to talk about the book with.
Live-in carers who enjoy readingSome who could come in East Lothian
Clemence K.£135 a day12 yrsAlso enjoys walking, fishing, gardening, socialising
Juliet C.£140 a day10 yrsAlso enjoys walking, dancing, cooking & baking, decorating
Valerie D.£155 a day6 yrsAlso enjoys walking, dancing, card games, decorating
Stella Jackie M.£145 a day6 yrsAlso enjoys walking, dancing, card games, cooking & bakingInterest 5
The county's fertile coastal plain and its big estate policies have left a run of walled gardens and working nurseries that keep older growers in touch with the soil.
22 of 47live-in carers we looked at
list gardening
Somewhere to go
Haddington
A large eighteenth century walled garden on the edge of Haddington, restored and run with community volunteers and open to visitors. A carer could go along for a slow circuit of the beds, or help an older gardener join a volunteer session doing seated jobs like sowing and potting.
Source: visiteastlothian.org. Check opening times and access before you go.
Somewhere to go
East Linton
A long established nursery in an old walled garden near East Linton, selling trees and plants and with a tearoom and lake walk. A carer can drive over, push a trolley round while plants are chosen, and finish with tea before heading home.
Source: visiteastlothian.org. Check opening times and access before you go.
How a companion helps
Potting on at a table rather than kneeling, deadheading from a stool, visiting gardens with level paths and a tearoom: a carer keeps the garden in their week.
Live-in carers who enjoy gardeningSome who could come in East Lothian
Martha Alice B.£145 a day10 yrsAlso enjoys walking, dancing, card games, cooking & baking
Neil B.£170 a day7 yrsAlso enjoys walking, cooking & baking, video games, watching TV
Kokub M.£145 a day7 yrsAlso enjoys painting, walking, card games, cooking & baking
Paul O.£150 a dayAlso enjoys painting, walking, card games, cooking & bakingInterest 6
Scottish country dancing remains part of ordinary social life in East Lothian towns, alongside the processions and galas of the local festival calendar.
16 of 47live-in carers we looked at
list dancing
Somewhere to join
A regular u3a group for retired people who want Scottish country dancing at a relaxed, sociable level rather than for performance. A carer can provide transport, stay for the session, and make sure water and a seat are to hand between dances.
Source: eastlothianu3a.org.uk. Check opening times and access before you go.
How a companion helps
From tea dances to seated movement to music, a companion can find the right session, drive there, and make sure it is enjoyable rather than tiring.
Live-in carers who enjoy dancingSome who could come in East Lothian
Edith O.£152 a day16 yrsAlso enjoys walking, cooking & baking, socialising, music
Adaobi A.£180 a day5 yrsAlso enjoys walking, card games, decorating, knitting
Catherine K.£174 a day19 yrsAlso enjoys painting, walking, card games, cooking & baking
Thenjiwe G.£158 a day17 yrsAlso enjoys painting, walking, card games, cooking & bakingInterest 7
Big skies over the Firth of Forth, offshore islands, castles and harbour walls give the county plenty to point a camera at without going far.
14 of 47live-in carers we looked at
list photography
Somewhere to join
North Berwick
A local camera club with meetings, talks and competitions for photographers of all standards. A carer could help with lifts to evening meetings and carry the kit on club outings along the coast.
Source: sinwp.com. Check opening times and access before you go.
How a companion helps
A companion can plan an outing around the light and the tide, carry the kit, and help sort the pictures afterwards.
Live-in carers who enjoy photographySome who could come in East Lothian
Alois T.£160 a day8 yrsAlso enjoys painting, walking, cooking & baking, decorating
Nsikak U.£135 a day1 yrsAlso enjoys reading, music, sports, volunteering
Sylvia N.£148 a day10 yrsAlso enjoys walking, cooking & baking, puzzles, decorating
Mehwish A.£154 a day3 yrsAlso enjoys painting, walking, cooking & baking, puzzlesInterest 8
This is a county known for golf links along its coast and for horse racing, with newer over fifties sports groups in the inland towns.
14 of 47live-in carers we looked at
list sports
Somewhere to go
Musselburgh
A long established track beside the Forth holding flat and jump meetings through the year. A carer could book in advance, sort parking and a seat, and keep the day to a couple of races rather than the whole card.
Getting around: The racecourse publishes an accessibility page setting out arrangements for disabled racegoers.
Source: musselburgh-racecourse.co.uk. Check opening times and access before you go.
Somewhere to join
Tranent
A local walking football session aimed at players over fifty, with no running and a social side to it. A carer can provide the lift, bring water and a chair for breaks, and stay to watch.
Source: eastlothiancourier.com. Check opening times and access before you go.
How a companion helps
Watching the match together, a trip to the bowls green or the cricket, or gentle exercise done safely with someone alongside.
Live-in carers who enjoy sportsSome who could come in East Lothian
christopher c.£161 a day14 yrsAlso enjoys walking, cooking & baking, puzzles, gardening
Kevin M.£142 a day28 yrsAlso enjoys walking, cooking & baking, decorating, gardening
Shona D.10 yrsAlso enjoys walking, cooking & baking, puzzles, socialising
Ruth D.£172 a day7 yrsAlso enjoys walking, cooking & baking, gardening, photographyInterest 9
Countryside sites, museums and community groups across East Lothian rely on volunteers, including plenty of retired ones.
13 of 47live-in carers we looked at
list volunteering
Somewhere to join
Dunbar
A long running supporters group for the Dunbar museum in the house where John Muir was born, helping with events and promoting his work. A carer can help with getting to meetings and with the reading or paperwork side of taking part.
Source: muirbirthplacefriends.org.uk. Check opening times and access before you go.
How a companion helps
A carer can help find a role that suits sitting down or short sessions, and handle the lifts there and back.
Live-in carers who enjoy volunteeringSome who could come in East Lothian
Rosemary Grace A.£185 a day6 yrsAlso enjoys painting, walking, puzzles, gardening
Florence S.£175 a day35 yrsAlso enjoys walking, dancing, cooking & baking, reading
Precious O.£150 a day6 yrsAlso enjoys walking, dancing, cooking & baking, DIYDavid R.£160 a day15 yrsAlso enjoys walking, dancing, puzzles, socialisingInterest 10
East Lothian's coastal light and old burgh streets have long attracted painters, and local museums keep showing that work close to home.
11 of 47live-in carers we looked at
list painting
Somewhere to go
Dunbar
A council run museum and gallery in Dunbar's old town house, with changing exhibitions including local art. A carer can time a visit for a quiet weekday, allow plenty of sitting time between rooms, and follow it with sketching back at home.
Source: eastlothian.gov.uk. Check opening times and access before you go.
How a companion helps
Setting up the table, washing the brushes, finding a gallery with a lift: a carer handles the practical side so the time goes on the painting.
Live-in carers who enjoy paintingSome who could come in East Lothian
Charity I.£135 a day5 yrsAlso enjoys walking, card games, cooking & baking, decorating
Pecky O.£140 a day10 yrsAlso enjoys walking, card games, puzzles, socialisingTererai M.£152 a day12 yrsAlso enjoys walking, card games, cooking & baking, puzzlesPatience T.£140 a day5 yrsAlso enjoys walking, dancing, gardening, photographyInterest 11
Needlework has a strong community tradition in East Lothian, where large stitched projects have been made collectively by local volunteers.
9 of 47live-in carers we looked at
list knitting
Local tradition
Prestonpans
A very long embroidered tapestry telling the story of the 1745 Jacobite campaign, stitched by volunteer needleworkers and associated with Prestonpans. A carer could take an older knitter or stitcher to see it when it is on display, and use it as a way into a local stitching group.
Source: battleofprestonpans1745.org. Check opening times and access before you go.
How a companion helps
Winding wool, reading the pattern aloud, picking up dropped stitches, and a trip to the wool shop or a knitting group.
Live-in carers who enjoy knittingSome who could come in East Lothian
Adam G.£160 a day22 yrsAlso enjoys walking, cooking & baking, puzzles, board games
Ann M.£200 a day15 yrsAlso enjoys walking, card games, cooking & baking, gardening
Ednah Miriam M.£148 a day22 yrsAlso enjoys walking, dancing, card games, cooking & bakingMartha Alice B.£145 a day10 yrsAlso enjoys walking, dancing, card games, cooking & bakingInterest 12
With a rocky North Sea coast, working harbours, reservoirs in the Lammermuirs and stocked trout waters inland, the county suits both sea and still water anglers.
5 of 47live-in carers we looked at
list fishing
Somewhere to go
East Linton
Stocked trout ponds near East Linton with bank fishing and on site facilities. A carer could carry the tackle, set up a chair at an easy bankside spot, and keep the flask going for a half day session.
Getting around: Listed on Euan's Guide as having disabled access for anglers.
Source: euansguide.com. Check opening times and access before you go.
Somewhere to go
Dunbar
A historic working harbour below the castle ruins, still used by creel boats and popular for watching the fishing come and go. A carer can park nearby for an hour of harbour wall fishing talk, or just sit and watch the boats when a full trip is too much.
Source: visiteastlothian.org. Check opening times and access before you go.
How a companion helps
A carer can sort the permit and the tackle, drive to a bank spot close to the car park, and bring the chair, the flask and the patience.
Live-in carers who enjoy fishingSome who could come in East Lothian
Clemence K.£135 a day12 yrsAlso enjoys walking, gardening, socialising, readingKokub M.£145 a day7 yrsAlso enjoys painting, walking, card games, cooking & bakingAlois T.£160 a day8 yrsAlso enjoys painting, walking, cooking & baking, decoratingThenjiwe G.£158 a day17 yrsAlso enjoys painting, walking, dancing, card gamesCloser to home
Not every good day involves going out. These are the everyday interests the carers who could come list most, and each is easier, and more fun, with somebody to share it.
From interest to introduction
Use the link under any interest on this page. It opens a search of live-in carers in East Lothian with the carers who list that interest first; nobody else is hidden, so you still see everyone who could come.
Each profile shows the carer's interests next to their experience, the conditions they have cared for, their day rate and their reviews. Shortlist two or three.
Message and meet them for free. Ask about the hobby: someone who really gardens will tell you what they grow. Nothing is booked until you decide.
We set up the contract, handle invoicing and payment, and insure the care while the carer works. The rest of the week is theirs to fill.
Lee-Ann
Care manager for families in East Lothian
Someone to talk to first
Most families start with a call: what your relative needs, what it would cost, which carers share your parent's interests, and whether live-in care or companionship visits suit them better, and what to ask a carer when you speak to them. Lee-Ann has those conversations every day and can tell you which of the carers in East Lothian might suit, though the choice is always yours.
Questions
Yes. Getting out is a normal part of a live-in carer's week: a walk (John Muir Way is a good one), a garden visit, a choir concert, the bowls club or a lunch with friends. Many carers drive, and the search shows who does. Mileage is only charged if you agree it in advance and in writing, and 55p a mile is the usual figure when a carer uses their own car. Entry tickets and cafe stops for the carer are worth agreeing up front too.
Use the link under the interest on this page: it opens a search of live-in carers in East Lothian with the ones who list that interest shown first, and the rest still there below them. Every profile shows the carer's interests alongside their experience, rates and reviews. Message the ones you like, and talk about the hobby when you meet them: it is the quickest way to tell whether the interest is real.
For live-in care it matters more than people expect. A live-in carer shares the house for weeks at a time, and the hours between the care tasks are most of the day. Somebody who likes the same programmes, games or garden fills those hours naturally. It is still second to experience and temperament, so treat it as a tie-breaker between good carers rather than the first thing you filter on.
Live-in care through PrimeCarers is typically about £1,120 a week, with our fee included, and each carer sets their own rate, shown on their profile. That covers somebody living in and helping through the day. If your parent needs company rather than round-the-clock help, hourly companionship visits start from about £15 an hour. Companionship care in East Lothian compares the two.
Then the interest comes to him. A carer can bring the garden to a table on the patio, put the old records on, set up the jigsaw, read the paper aloud or play cards most afternoons. The interests further down this page are mostly the ones done at home, and plenty of carers share them.
Each local suggestion was researched from published sources, and every one on the page has passed a check before appearing: either it was found on a map inside East Lothian, or its source page, which we link to, is live and names the area. Anything that failed was left out. Opening times, prices and access change, so check with the venue before you go, especially for gardens such as Amisfield Walled Garden, where it is worth asking ahead about wheelchairs or mobility scooters.
Yes. Before a carer appears on PrimeCarers they have passed an enhanced DBS check, an identity check and a right-to-work check, and had an online interview with our team, and their DBS stays under continuous monitoring. Carers write their own profiles, including their interests and skills, so ask about anything that matters to you when you meet them. How we vet carers sets out each step.
See live-in carers with their photos, interests, rates and reviews, and talk to your favourites for free. Nothing is booked until you say so.
