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Ardgowan Hotel
Location: St. Andrews

The Ardgowan Hotel is a 36 bedroom family-run, three star AA and Visit Scotland rated hotel in the heart of St Andrews. Our whole team is dedicated to providing a home away from home for every guest who walks through our doors.

We believe Scottish hospitality is the best in the world and we strive to not only meet our guest’s expectations but exceed them every day to make their trip to St Andrews a memorable one. Below is the story of the Ardgowan Hotel and Playfair’s Restaurant from the start and here you can find out a little more about the people who run this well-known business.

Let’s start at the beginning…

…in 1847, native St Andrews architect George Rae designed the buildings on Playfair Terrace. The Ardgowan Hotel and Playfair’s Restaurant were born from the two houses situated at the end of the terrace!

Coming forward a year or two…

…The Ardgowan Hotel and Playfair’s Restaurant was bought by the McLachlan family in 2003 and was run by Roy and Eliza McLachlan along with Gary Foster, transforming the hotel from a 12 bedroom to a 36 bedroom business with a well-known restaurant.

Skip forward 9 years ….

…nearing retirement Roy and Eliza were delighted when in 2012, son Duncan decided he would like to join the business, heading up ‘Playfair’s Army’ in the kitchen as Head Chef. Then, in 2014 daughter Rachel also joined as Director of Marketing and Business Development rounding off the second generation of McLachlan’s running the business.