[3] In 2016 Hamilton stood for the Scottish Parliament as the Conservative candidate for the East Lothian constituency where she came third, then was elected from the South Scotland regional list.

[1] Under the leadership of Ruth Davidson, Rachael Hamilton was Shadow Cabinet Secretary Tourism and Small Business and was Deputy Chief Whip.

During Jackson Carlow’s leadership, Rachael Hamilton was Chairwoman of Scottish Conservative Party and served as Shadow Cabinet Secretary Rural Economy and Tourism.

In 2018, the Conservatives faced calls to sack Hamilton from the front-bench after a hotel she co-owns with her husband was fined £52,500 by the DWP for failing to comply with the law on workplace pensions.

During her time as an MSP, Rachael Hamilton has served on the following committees; Culture, Tourism, Europe, External Affairs 2016-2018 Delegated Powers and Law Reform 2016 Public Petitions 2018-2019 Rural Economy and Tourism 2020 Social Justice and Social Security 2021-2022 Equalities, Human Rights and Criminal Justice 2022-2023 Rural Affairs and Natural Environment 2021-2023 Rural Affairs and Islands 2023 to date In the February 2020 Scottish Conservatives leadership election, Hamilton served as co-chair of Jackson Carlaw's leadership campaign, alongside Liam Kerr.