The Machrie

Argyll

4.6

370 reviews

4.6(370 Google reviews)

About The Machrie

Remote, eccentric and utterly compelling, The Machrie on the Isle of Islay is the kind of links course that golfers plan entire journeys around.

Founded in 1891 on the Isle of Islay off the west coast of Scotland, The Machrie underwent a comprehensive restoration by Donald Steel in 2018 that returned it to a condition worthy of its extraordinary setting. The course plays through some of the most dramatic natural dunes on any island course in Scotland, with blind holes, eccentric routings and the constant presence of the sea and the surrounding moorland giving each round a character that is entirely its own. The Machrie Hotel sits alongside the course, and staying on Islay, reached by ferry from Kennacraig or by light aircraft to Islay Airport, is the recommended approach for any golfer making the journey. The island's world-famous whisky distilleries make it a natural destination for those who want their golf combined with something equally distinguished.

The Machrie

Machrie Hotel, Isle of Islay PA42 7AN, UK

01496 302310

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The Isle of Islay is a place that makes demands on those who want to visit it, and those demands are entirely part of the appeal. The ferry crossing from Kennacraig through the Sound of Jura, with the island approaching across the water and the hills of Jura to the east, is the proper introduction to what follows. The Machrie sits on the west side of the island above Laggan Bay, and the dunes that frame the course are among the most impressive on any island in Scotland. The holes play through and between these dunes with a freedom that reflects both the original 1891 routing and Donald Steel's 2018 restoration, which returned the course to a standard that the landscape had always deserved.

The blind holes and unconventional routings that characterise The Machrie are not faults to be corrected but features to be understood. Early links golf was made from the land as it existed, without the earthmoving equipment that would later make such courses impossible to build anew, and the character that emerges from this constraint is something that no amount of careful modern design can fully replicate. Playing The Machrie for the first time requires patience and a willingness to be surprised; the course yields its secrets slowly, and the golfer who approaches it with an open mind rather than a set of expectations will find it considerably more rewarding than one who measures everything against more conventional layouts.

The island itself provides an itinerary that would sustain several days of comfortable travel. The distilleries that have made Islay famous, Laphroaig, Ardbeg, Bowmore and Bruichladdich among others, are all within easy reach of the course, and a schedule that alternates morning golf with afternoon distillery visits is one that many golfers have found to be close to ideal. The combination of remote links golf and world-class whisky production in a landscape of Atlantic moorland and sea gives Islay a particular hold on those who visit, and The Machrie is the golf course at the heart of that experience.

Opening Hours

MondayOpen 24 hours
TuesdayOpen 24 hours
WednesdayOpen 24 hours
ThursdayOpen 24 hours
FridayOpen 24 hours
SaturdayOpen 24 hours
SundayOpen 24 hours

What Golfers Say About The Machrie

A selection of recent visitor reviews from Google.

Mau Gutiérrez B.
3 months ago
This hotel exceeded my expectations — definitely great value for money. The property is beautiful: the décor, the details, and the artwork throughout are truly charming. Excellent job on that. The rooms, while small, are perfectly adequate. What I didn’t quite understand was the oversized bathroom — there’s really no need for such a large one when it makes the bedroom feel so small. A special mention goes to James, the bartender/waiter. Great guy — he helped me understand the island’s whiskies, the food, and the hotel itself. He truly made the difference. Just a word of caution: be careful with the bathtub. It’s quite high, there’s no grab bar to hold onto, and it really feels like an accident waiting to happen.

Bree Anderson
4 months ago
Our stay at The Machrie was absolutely fabulous from start to finish. The property is stunning, with unobstructed views of the Atlantic from so many vantage points. Every possible comfort has been considered - including amazing wood burning fire places, hot tubs, complimentary wellies - which made our stay seamless. The staff at the Machrie show so much genuine passion and enthusiasm, and really went above and beyond to ensure our stay was extra special. From whisky pairings, oyster luges, 18 holes of incredible golf - this is Islay hospitality at its finest. Thank you to JC, Callum, Cameron and Nick for making our stay one to remember!

Chris Wilson
6 months ago
The golf was amazing. The course is fun, beautiful and challenging. It had everything I would want in a classic Scottish links course. I the hotel looked nice but we were there for the golf and whiskey. With the weather we had it hard not to have fun. There literally was a rainbow on the clubhouse/hotel

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you get to The Machrie on Islay?

Islay is accessible by two main routes: by CalMac ferry from Kennacraig on the Kintyre Peninsula, which takes approximately two hours, or by light aircraft to Islay Airport, which receives flights from Glasgow. The ferry crossing through the Sound of Jura is itself a scenic experience.

Can visitors play at The Machrie?

Yes, The Machrie is open to visiting golfers. Staying at The Machrie Hotel, which is adjacent to the course, is the most practical option for visitors and allows early morning and evening rounds across the full stay. Tee times can be booked through the hotel.

What did Donald Steel's 2018 restoration involve?

Donald Steel's restoration addressed years of neglect that had left the course in poor condition. The work involved returning the routing to a high standard, restoring greens and bunkering, and improving the course infrastructure to bring it up to the standard that the natural setting demands. The restoration is widely regarded as a success.

What are blind holes and why does The Machrie have them?

Blind holes are those where the golfer cannot see the target from the tee or from the fairway. They are a characteristic of the oldest links courses, where the routing followed the natural land rather than being engineered for visibility. The Machrie retains several blind holes as part of its original character, and they contribute significantly to the atmosphere and eccentricity of the round.

Can a visit to The Machrie be combined with whisky distillery tours?

Yes, and this is a natural combination. Islay is home to a number of internationally renowned distilleries including Laphroaig, Ardbeg, Bowmore and Bruichladdich, all of which offer tours and tastings. A few days on Islay, combining golf at The Machrie with distillery visits, is one of the most enjoyable itineraries available in Scottish travel.