The 25-year-old arrived at Welford Road as a teenager seven years ago and has been in the first-team squad for the last five seasons. He becomes Edinburgh head coach Andy Robinson’s first summer signing after agreeing a three-year contract.
“I have enjoyed my time with Leicester, I have a lot of happy memories here, but now it is time for a fresh challenge,” said Hamilton who has been sidelined since suffering an ankle injury during this season’s RBS 6 Nations Championship.
“Playing first-team rugby for Leicester Tigers was always a highlight, and running out at Welford Road has been great. I have played against some of the biggest teams in Europe in my time at the club.”
Hamilton joined Tigers after representing Warwickshire U-18s and has made 64 first-team appearances since his debut against London Irish in 2003.
He came through the Academy system alongside Brett Deacon just as fellow youngsters Harry Ellis, Ollie Smith and Louis Deacon were starting to establish themselves in the first-team squad.
Hamilton established himself as a senior international last season after making his debut against Romania in November 2006 and went to his first World Cup in 2007, starting three of Scotland’s games. He now has 16 senior caps.
After announcing his move north, he added: “I want to help Edinburgh to develop into a top side that can compete and win against the best teams in Europe. I think they are capable of doing that.”
