 Having joined the state sector, the school closed in 1972, as a result of the coming of comprehensive schools in Lanarkshire.It was replaced by the new Hamilton Grammar School, which took over its site and most of its pupils and staff.No longer existing as an independent institution, Hamilton Academy had a history going back to 1588 when it was endowed by The 1st Marquess of Hamilton ("c." 1535-1604), an extremely powerful Scottish nobleman.