The Story of the Hamilton Grand, the finest flat in St Andrews
Once a Grand Hotel, an airforce base and student hall of residence, the Hamilton Grand has now entered the newest and most luxurious chapter of its rich history.


Overlooking the 18th hole of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club’s Old Course, the Hamilton Grand has a history as rich as the sumptuous interiors of its penthouse flat.
With selected flats currently on the market through Savills (prices on application), this masterpiece of red standstone, commissioned by Thomas Hamilton in 1895 as The Grand Hotel, brought life to “The Auld Grey Toon” of St Andrews.
The first building in Scotland to have an pneumatic elevator, as well as hot and cold water taps running to every bathroom on the property, The Grand Hotel paved the way for luxurious hospitality in the 20th century. Among its most famous visitors were Rudyard Kipling, Bing Crosby and King Edward VIII.
The addition of this immense building to the ‘Home of Golf’ and the influx of avid golfers who came with it induced Tom Morris of the R&A to build the New Course, the oldest ‘new’ course in the world, so named to differentiate it from it’s older counterpart.
This in turn lead to the establishment of the Links Act, allowing the town council to gain title to the Links and provide the residents of St Andrews with unprecedented access to world class golfing facilities.
The Hamilton Grand saw its first renaissance during World War II, where it was requisitioned by the Air Ministry of the United Kingdom and transformed into training headquarters for the Royal Airforce.
Shortly after the end of the war, the building was once again repurposed and renamed, this time by the university as the Hamilton Grand Hall of residence for the students. This followed a failed proposal to sell the building to the Roman Catholic Church, a plan which was abandoned due to the alarm it caused the Presbyterian residents of the town.
Exquisite houses, the beauty of Nature, and how to get the most from your life, straight to your inbox.
Hamilton Hall reopened in 1949 and was sold once more in 2004, after an unsolicited bid was made for the property. The Hall shut its doors to the student population during the academic year 2005/06, closing the third chapter of the building’s life.
In July 2006, work was set to begin with the intention to turn Hamilton Hall into a prestigious residence club, however by October 2008, the building had seen no improvements and was in a state of severe disrepair. Another plan arose in 2009, however it too was abandoned and the building, having been repossessed by the bank, was put up for sale once more.
US businessman Herb Kohler acquired the property in 2010, announcing his plan to rename the building once again – this time to the Hamilton Grand – and convert it into 26 luxury apartments.
Herb’s Hamilton was opened in 2013, with more than half the apartments sold within a month of going on the market.
If mere vicinity to the most famous golf course in the world was not enticing enough, the current residents of the Hamilton Grand enjoy membership at Kohler Waters spa as well as all the hospitality The Old Course Hotel has to offer, including valet parking, 24-hour butlers, private chefs and full house keeping services.
They also gain access to the sensational roof terrace, with unparalleled views of the Old Course, the West Sands and out to the North sea.
A variety of the Hamilton’s 26 luxury apartments are on sale, ranging in size from 1,000 to 2,500 square feet.
Credit: Strutt & Parker
The country retreat where JM Barrie dreamed up Peter Pan to entertain three young houseguests
Set on 1.5 acres of land on the edge of Bourne Wood, Lobswood House has been sympathetically renovated to retain
Credit: Galbraith
The untouched 'Island of Goats', a short boat ride from the Argyll coast, is looking for a new owner
Rich with areas of ancient woodland and extensive wildlife, this stunning island off Argyll’s secret coast provides the opportunity to
The devastatingly pretty home where Sir Walter Scott became a literary superstar
Within the splendid walls of Ashiestiel House, Sir Walter Scott enjoyed the happiest years of his life as he wrote
-
The life that thrives among the dead: How wildlife finds a home in the graveyards and churchyards of Britain
Home to a veritable ‘Noah’s Ark of species’, thanks to never being ploughed, sprayed or fertilised, our churchyards offer a sacred haven for flora and fauna, says Laura Parker.
By Laura Parker Published
-
‘What a shame when a dinosaur disappears into the mansion of an oligarch rather than being displayed for all to enjoy’: The ethics of the dinosaur auction
Fancy a stegosaurus in your living room? You can buy one at auction. But the latest luxury good is a paleontologist's worst nightmare.
By Lotte Brundle Published
-
The majestic New Forest estate formerly owned by a billionaire adventurer — famous for driving 'the world's fastest kettle' — has come up for sale
Great estates in the unspoilt setting of the New Forest are always a welcome sight on the market, and Newton Park is a wonderful example with a sad story to tell. Anna White tells more.
By Anna White Last updated
-
A Hampshire Manor for sale that dates back to the days of Alfred the Great, with the most beautiful staircase we've seen in years
The ten bedroom property features an indoor swimming pool, jacuzzi, spa complex and stables, and it was restored by the same architect who worked on Downing Street.
By Lotte Brundle Published
-
The new property hotspots where you can have it all: Beautiful houses, great schools and idyllic lifestyle
Across the country people are selling up and heading to the towns where there's no compromise on dream homes, outstanding schooling and the good life, according to analysis from two of Britain's top estate agents. Anna White explains.
By Anna White Published
-
Where Venice once ruled: The roving Venetians left handsome imprints across the Greek world, from its religion to its rambling villas
Matthew Dennison explores the lingering traces of Venice's vanished empire — and the best places to buy where it once stood.
By Matthew Dennison Last updated
-
A delightful 16th century home with some of Kent's most beautiful gardens has come on to the market
The Grange puts the 'garden' into the Garden of England.
By Penny Churchill Published
-
A pristine Scottish island for sale at the price of a garage in Fulham
A dot on the map of the west coast of Scotland has come on to the market, where you'll be surrounded by sea, living off grid and be neighbours with the local seal colony.
By Toby Keel Published
-
18 beautiful homes, from charming cottages to a Highland mansion with unbeatable views, as seen in Country Life
Our look at some of the best homes to come to the market via Country Life in the past week includes Georgian manor houses, charming commutable homes and the grandest home in Newcastle.
By Toby Keel Published
-
The gorgeous Somerset home of the designer behind one of Glastonbury's chicest spots
The Manor in Hinton Blewitt is a glorious Georgian home that ticks every box.
By Toby Keel Published