Dan Murphy visited the Kintyre Peninsula, which is already blessed with some wonderful golf,ina part of the world with bold plans to become “the next great golfing destination in Scotland”
The Kintyre peninsula is found on the south-western tip of Scotland. Closer to Belfast than to Glasgow, it can often feel more remote than the Highlands.
To approach by car, you must drive past Loch Lomond and then take a sharp left to travel down the finger of land that extends to within 12 miles or so of Northern Ireland’s Antrim coast. The gateway to the Western Isles, the only settlement of any size on the whole peninsula is Campbeltown. This historic fishing port and strategic military base nowadays has a population of around 5,000.
Machrihanish Dunes is as natural a links layout as can be found
Some five miles to the west of Campbeltown is the golfing paradise of Machrihanish. It is home to an ancient Old Tom Morris-designed links as well as the much more recent addition of Machrihanish Dunes.
The Village at Machrihanish Dunes currently comprises a small hotel with its own spa, restaurant and bar. Additionally there is the Old Clubhouse pub that is dedicated to Old Tom Morris and eight luxury cottages. These have been recently restored and updated to combine the best of old and new.
Down the road in the heart of Campbeltown is the Royal Hotel, complete with its own high-end restaurant and pub.
The village of Machrihanish, with the Machrihanish clubhouse, Ugadale Hotel and adjacent cottages
And of course the David McLay Kidd-designed links that is a one-off – even within the kingdom of Scotland where golf is a way of life and has been for centuries.
What is so special about it? Well, the links occupies one of Scotland’s largest dune systems, so significant that it is protected as the Machrihanish Dunes Site of Special Scientific Interest.
That legal status shapes everything from the way holes are threaded through channels and swales, to how the rough is managed.
The site covers over 290 hectares between Westport Beach and Machrihanish. It is a living landform of accretion and erosion.
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In such circumstances, McLay Kidd had little choice but to embrace a minimalist approach. By his own account, the course was uncovered more than it was fashioned, with construction limited to what the environment would tolerate.
The course is draped over 250 acres, only seven of which were modified to create greens and tees. No heavy machinery or inorganic materials were used. The result is a set of greens that simply sit where the ground dictated, while the fairways sweep and swirl as they choose.
Rare orchids, among many other flora, have benefitted from pest and litter removal. This is part of the stewardship that underpinned the project’s GEO certification back in 2010.
The architecture is minimalist, the routing working with the long dune ridges, asking you to play across and along them. Greens tend to be extensions of their approaches, perched on natural shelves or in wind-hollowed bowls.
The few bunkers are the product mainly of nature, but more often than not, the landform does the job. On a protected site where any intrusive operation requires consent from NatureScot, the course leans on what the terrain already provides.
The low-lying 10th green at Machrihanish Dunes is not visible from the fairway (to the right of this picture)
Taken in the right spirit, and with some understanding of the above, Mach Dunes makes total sense. Those of us who fear that modern courses are becoming overly artificial and too dependent on intensive agronomy should celebrate this alternative approach, which is surely more sustainable on several levels.
Of course, there is a trade-off. Which comes in the form of several blind tee shots with forced carries, rough that is often more or less untended and a routing that calls for some significant walks from one green to the next tee.
The far end of Mach Dunes, whose modest clubhouse is close to Campbeltown Airport, meets the corresponding point of Machrihanish Old, the 1st tee of which is within 150 yards of the Ugadale Hotel, Old Clubhouse pub and the cottages.
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These cottages are ideally situated and equipped for golfers, couples and families alike. Cosy and roomy. For many of us the 30-second commute to the Old Clubhouse for drinks and hearty food is particularly appealing.
With an appealing mix of seafood and traditional favourites, there is no better place to reflect on your day’s golf.
Similarly, the beach and sea are also within 100 yards of the cottages.
The par-5 16th flows with typically effortless style towards a natural green site
It may take a concerted effort to get to this part of the world. But once you are in position, everything is just where you can see it and there really is no need to venture very far at all.
And if Southworth’s incredibly exciting and ambitious plans come to fruition, then it would be even harder to force yourself to leave at the end of your visit than it already is now.
The next chapter for Machrihanish Dunes
Owners Southworth have unveiled plans for a significant resort expansion that includes a second links course adjacent to Machrihanish Dunes.
In addition, there will be expansive training and practice facilities, 73 additional hotel rooms, 50 golf cottages and a myriad of additional amenities. Upon completion, the resort will total more than 200 rooms and seven food and beverage outlets. This is to support the 36 holes of golf along with the surrounding acclaimed courses.
Tommy Southworth, President of Southworth, said: “Machrihanish Dunes lies on one of the most unique pieces of land in the world, so it is only fitting that we expand our offerings for all types of visitors to this special corner of Scotland, while being sensitive to the stunning natural landscape.
“In combination with Machrihanish Dunes and other area links courses, including the acclaimed Machrihanish Golf Club, a world top 100 links designed by Old Tom Morris, the addition of another 18-hole links will help turn the Kintyre Peninsula into the next great golfing destination in Scotland.” said Southworth.
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Special offer: Winter package – £245 per person
Two nights’ B&B, with two rounds of golf, one at Machrihanish and one at Machrihanish Dunes, based on four people sharing twin rooms
Available from November 1 to April 1, 2026 for £245 per person
Single room supplement £75
Includes a welcome drink on arrival
Option to add a third night and an additional round of golf on the third day at Machrihanish Dunes or Dunaverty for £80 per person, including breakfast and accommodation
Subject to availability, full payment on booking and full refund if cancelled up to 30 days prior to day of arrival. No refunds within 30 days of arrival date
