The Machrie Hotel & Golf Links

Islay, Inner Hebrides, Scotland

Nestled in the dunes on the Isle of Islay rests The Machrie Hotel and Golf Links. Isolated and revered for its ideal location on the Queen of the Hebrides, Islay. Isolated, rural and majestic, visiting golfers enjoy the tranquillity of wild landscapes and simple luxuries at The Machrie that consist of comfortable accommodations, fine foods and world-class golf. The boutique golf resort has 47 beautifully designed rooms consisting of suites and lodges. The resident links golf course has a long history dating back to 1891; it was designed by Willie Campbell, but was redesigned by DJ Russell and reopened in 2018, becoming “the finest contemporary golf course redesign in the UK” – Golf Monthly”. Staying at The Machrie Hotel and Golf Resort is one of the best-value golf deals. Most golfers visit The Machrie while adventuring through Scotland’s West Coast; nearby golf destinations include Machrihanish Dunes, Royal Portrush on Ireland’s North Coast, and the Ayrshire Coast on mainland Scotland with Turnberry Resort, Dundonald Links and Western Gailes being the most well-known value for golf.

The Machrie embodies everything Scottish, with dune-scapes and rounded mountains moulding into endless beaches. There is no better definition of traditional Scottish links golf than at The Machrie, where visitors are always welcome and your stay will be cherished.

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Golf Resort Location

Resort Details

Region: Islay, Inner Hebrides, Scotland
Address: Machrie Hotel, Isle of Islay PA42 7AN, United Kingdom

Golf Course Information

The cream of the crop at The Machrie is its 18-hole links golf course since 1891. Designed by Scot legend Willie Campbell, the course has been modernised recently by golf architect DJ Russell. Playing the links evokes notions of the traditional, historic game while experiencing all the challenges and thrills of a modern-day links course. Creative shot-making and the adoption of a strategy going into the first hole is a prerequisite for a happy scorecard at The Machrie. The acclaimed Championship Links course, located on the southernmost stretch of Islay on the Inner Hebrides, is a testament to its age in design and style, located amongst rolling seaside dunes.

Golfers can warm up or settle bets after the 18-hole links course on the Wee Course, which is a six-hole, par-3 golf course that has variable tees. In addition, there is a 5-bay driving range accompanied by an indoor golf studio that makes full use of a Trackman Golf Simulator to analyse your swing. The golfing facilities are topped with the ‘Hebrides’ putting course; ensure you get your putting inline on the ‘Hebrides’ before your round on the Machrie Links.

Accommodation

Recently opened in 2018, The Machrie Hotel is the Isle of Islay’s newest, and certainly the most luxurious. The resort underwent an extensive renovation that has seen its original building lovingly restored with the addition of striking internal architecture and a clean new feel. All rooms have unobstructed views of the island’s peat moss, the Mull of Oa, or the green of the Links golf course and the Atlantic Ocean beyond. All rooms feature daily cleaning services, 24-hour room service, Free Wi-Fi, late check-outs and early check-ins. The main hotel has varied rooms that are classed from Classic, upwards to Deluxe, Executive, and finally the Lodge Room. Differences between the rooms are in size, location and view. Contact us for more information on The Machrie Hotel.

The Lodges at The Machrie offer a more relaxed, laissez-faire kind of stay, with self-catering accommodation to complement your stay. Indulge in the privacy of your own lodge with stylish décor and comfortable surroundings. You will enjoy the option to cook for yourself, or utilise the hotel restaurant for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Lodge facilities include two bedrooms which can be set up as super-kings or twin beds, capable of accommodating up to four people. Each lodge is serviced daily, and includes a full kitchen with a dishwasher, 2-ring hob, oven and fridge. There are also outdoor seating areas to enjoy.

Resort Dining

18 Restaurant & Bar

Open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner, the focal point of The Machrie’s food & drink is the 18 Restaurant. Overlooking the 18^th green of the Links golf course, the Restaurant and Bar is located on the first floor of the hotel and features a vaulted glass ceiling and outdoor terrace. The view is simply stunning, with a southwest panorama of the links golf course down to Laggan Bay and the ocean beyond. The menus change throughout the season; you can rest assured your meal will be very memorable at the 18 Restaurant & Bar.

The Lounges at The Machrie

There are three lounges to enjoy a leisurely drink and snack at The Machrie. Ideal for a pre-dinner drink or nichtcap, the lounges can be enjoyed at any time. The Stag Lounge has an open fire and features floor-to-ceiling windows that feel like an open gallery. The Courtyard Lounge offers an open fire, a low ceiling and French Doors to make the ambience extra cosy. The Snug Lounge is a cosy retreat best suited to a quiet book, board games and a retreat for those who want some quiet time and a delicious snack.

Resort Facilities

Health & Wellbeing at The Machrie

Take a break from golf and exploring Islay at The Machrie’s luxurious Spa and Gym. The Gym offers free weights and cardio machines to ensure your fitness remains on-point during your stay. The Spa offers various skin and massage treatments for non-golfers, or those looking to indulge during their visit.

Exploration

Islay is both a cultural gem for Scotland, but also a playground by which to explore your adventurous side. A selection of activities to enjoy whilst on Islay consists of kayaking (guided and unguided), fishing (guided and unguided), fat bikes for beach rides, fly fishing and hiking amongst beautiful scenery. Scotland is well-known for its distilleries; there are nine working distilleries on Islay. The oldest, Bowmore, was founded in 1779, the most recent is Ardnahoe, which opened in 2019. If you like your Scotch and Whiskys as much as the locals, be sure to include your interest for more information on whisky and gin exploration during your visit.

How to Get There

Located on the southwest corner of Islay on the Inner Hebrides, The Machrie Hotel & Golf Links is not the easiest place to reach. It is best accessed by Glasgow on Scotland’s west coast. You can travel by car and ferry, or by air. Those travelling by car can take the 2.5-hour picturesque drive past Loch Lomond and Loch Fyne to Kennacraig, before heading to Port Askaig or Port Ellen via Calmac Ferry which takes about two hours. If you are coming on the ferry by foot (you can leave your car at Kennacraig), transfers on Islay can be arranged.

If visiting from Northern Ireland, the Kintyre Express is an option for those travelling by car. It is a ferry service that links up the Irish North Coast to Islay from April to September, running between Ballycastle on the Antrim Coast to Port Ellen on Islay. This option allows golfers to visit Royal Portrush, Royal Portstewart, Castlerock Golf Club and Ballyliffin before heading to The Machrie.

Those travelling by air can access Islay and The Machrie via the Glasgow-Islay service which operates twice a day or three times a day during summer. Loganair services this route, along with various private charter companies. Contact us for more information.