General manager Kathryn McNairn and deputy manager Caryn Kelly head up the new boutique hotel and restaurant, which has opened steps from the Old Course

A new boutique hotel has opened in St Andrews under a female-led management team, a short walk from the Old Course.

The Kithmore, on Playfair Terrace off North Street, welcomed its first guests on Tuesday following a £7.5 million transformation of three Georgian townhouses dating from 1847. The buildings were designed by St Andrews architect George Rae.

McNairn and Kelly lead the 36-strong team behind the hotel, working alongside head chef Joe Reddie. For visiting golfers, the location puts the Old Course, the R&A clubhouse and the town centre within walking distance.

Bennie’s restaurant

The opening also introduces Bennie’s, an all-day Scottish restaurant and bar named after a family with long ties to the property’s hospitality history. The menu draws on Scottish produce, with dishes including hand-dived Orkney scallops, beer-battered St Monans haddock and Scotch beef, alongside specials such as East Neuk langoustines and St Andrews Bay lobster.

The restaurant seats 57 inside, with a further 30 on its south-facing terrace.

Rooms from £415

Rooms at The Kithmore start at £415 per night. The hotel’s name comes from the Scots word “kith,” meaning friendship and familiarity.

McNairn said the two-year project had preserved the building’s heritage while creating a hotel built around hospitality and a strong sense of place. Owner The Marram Collection said the opening marked a significant milestone for the company.

For bookings, visit www.thekithmore.com or call 01334 472970.