The Machrie is easily the most remote of the venues that make up our NCG Top 100s: GB&I Golf Resorts list. Situated on the Isle of Islay off the west coast of Scotland, The Machrie might not be the most obvious choice for a golf holiday. However, with a championship links course, 6-hole short course, great practice facilities and the opportunity to explore a relatively untouched piece of the United Kingdom, The Machrie is a beautiful place for a golf resort. 

 

The championship links course at The Machrie was originally designed by Willie Campbell in the late 1880s. That design has been remodelled by DJ Russell, reopening in 2018 and it is now a glorious place to play golf. There is also the Wee Course, which thanks to six tees and six greens, offers up 36 different hole combinations. The Hebrides Putting Green is more than 4,500 square metres and is the perfect spot to practice with the flat stick, while there is a covered driving range for the long game as well. 

 

The Machrie Hotel, winner of Scotland’s Golf Hotel of the Year 2023/24, provides accommodation in the form of rooms and suites. Along with a choice of two-bedroom lodges, there are 45 accommodation offerings at The Machrie Hotel, which also features a spa, sauna and treatment rooms for guests to relax in.  

 

For guests that want to experience the Isle of Islay, a range of activities are also available. They include walks and running along the seven-mile Laggan Bay Beach, clay pigeon shooting and salmon fishing experiences, and the endless possibilities of the island itself.  

 

 

Visit The Machrie’s website here.  

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The original championship golf course at The Machrie, designed by Willie Campbell, dates back to 1891. Back then, the course was exceptionally long for 19th Century standards and featured many a blind shot. DJ Russell’s redesign of the championship course reopened in 2018, with fewer blind shots and more expansive views of the sea along the front nine. 

 

Measuring almost 6,800 yards from the back tees, the Par 72 layout is long, especially if the sea breeze is in your face. However, with four teeing options to choose from, fun can be had for players of all levels and abilities. The redesign from Russell features contoured greens, run-offs and swales, revetted bunkers and much more to make The Machrie a true links test. 

 

“The 11th is instantly in my all-time best 18. This short par 4 moves through a valley with heather on both sides and is absolutely glorious.” - Steve Carroll - NCG 

 

The 9th and 14th holes – both par 3s, are two of the signature holes on the layout. The former is the shortest hole on the course at just 141 yards from the tips and plays out towards the sea. Six greenside bunkers lie in wait for any errant shot. 14 features no bunkers, but that does not mean it is an easy hole. 

The closing hole is the longest at The Machrie and winds its way back to the clubhouse. It is a tricky par 5 with a total of seven bunkers. However, with a solid drive, this could be reachable in two and offer up an eagle opportunity at the last... 

The Machrie does not offer the widest range of accommodation in our selection of NCG Top 100s: GB&I Golf Resorts. However, the 45 rooms, suites and lodges available for guests are of the highest quality. It was named as Scotland’s Golf Hotel of the Year for 2023/24. 

 

The Cosy Rooms are the standard offering, but still come with a queen-sized bed, and have a modern and fresh decor. The Comfy and Comfy Luxe rooms supply an added layer of luxury and comfort, while the unique Islay Room has a four-poster bed and a sitting area. The Ben Hogan Duplex Suite is the best offering at The Machrie, which sits over two floors. There is an open plan living and dining area, along with a king-sized bed and separate bathtub and shower in the bathroom. 

 

The Machrie is also home to a selection of Lodges which are next to the main building, with views of the golf course and the Islay countryside. These two-bedroom lodges provide guests with a separate living room, super king-sized beds and a patio area which looks out on the links. 

 

The 18 Restaurant & Bar is the main eatery at The Machrie, with a range of Scottish produce on the menu. The Stag Lounge, the Courtyard Lounge and the Snug provide beautiful places to relax at the end of a long day.  

Away from the golf course, there is plenty to do at The Machrie and on the Isle of Islay. There is a fitness suite which has weights, treadmills, exercise bikes and more, while the seven-mile Laggan Bay Beach supplies a suitable place for runners and walkers. The Machrie also plays host to a wellness facility, with a pair of treatment rooms available to enjoy a massage. Organic seaweed and ishga skincare products are used in the spa.  

 

There are plenty of experience packages for guests to enjoy as well, away from the resort. Clay pigeon shooting, salmon and trout fishing, and deer stalking are all available.  

Where is The Machrie?  
The Machrie is the westernmost Scottish venue on the NCG Top 100s: GB&I Golf Resorts list, to the point where it is not on the mainland. It is on the Isle of Islay, just south of Glenmachrie. Port Ellen, one of the bigger towns on the island, is five miles to the southeast of The Machrie.  

What is the nearest airport and station to The Machrie?  
There is no train service on the Isle of Islay, but Islay Airport lies just a couple of miles north of The Machrie. Loganair runs daily flights to Glasgow Airport, from where visitors can transfer on to flights to a much wider range of destinations. There are also ferry terminals on both ends of the island, for those driving to The Machrie.  

What golf facilities does The Machrie offer?  
Along with the championship course, The Machrie is also home to the Wee Course, a fine six-hole stretch which sits between 17 and 18 of the championship layout. The six greens are in a small complex, with six teeing options, providing the opportunity to play 36 different holes ranging from 210 yards to just short pitches and chips. 

 

The Machrie also has the Hebrides Putting Green, which was inspired by the Himalayas at St Andrews. The putting green is more than 4,500 square metres and has a range of contours and slopes to make putting a challenge but also enjoyable. There is also a short game area for players to work on their chipping and bunker play before taking to the golf course. The Machrie also has a covered driving range to allow golfers to practice in all conditions. The range has several target greens as well, ranging from 50 to 270 yards.  

 

The Machrie’s fully stocked pro shop allows guests to try and buy kit, gear, and apparel from all the major brands, including Under Armour and Peter Millar, to name a few. Thanks to the history of the island, there are also a range of Islay whiskies and other gifts available in the pro shop as well.  

Does The Machrie offer golf lessons?  
Head Professional David Foley is the man to ask for coaching at The Machrie. The Irishman has made The Machrie his home, and he provides lessons and tuition for golfers of all ages and abilities, adapting lessons to each player’s requirements.  

What are the green fees at The Machrie?  
The price of a green fee at The Machrie changes throughout the year, depending on the season. It is also different depending on whether it is a weekday or weekend. There are also stay & play packages available at the resort.  

 

For more information on current green fees at The Machrie, visit their website here. 

What accommodation is on offer at The Machrie?  
The Machrie has 45 rooms, suites and lodges, all offering something different for guests staying at the resort. The rooms are split into Cosy, Comfy and Comfy Luxe, with the Islay Room and the Ben Hogan Duplex Suite supplying luxurious accommodation. There is also a selection of two-bedroom lodges for a more private stay, each of which has views over the championship course and out to the Atlantic Ocean.  

What other resorts are nearby?  
Due to its location, there are no other venues on the NCG Top 100s: GB&I Golf Resorts list within three hours of The Machrie. That is due to the need for a ferry from the Isle of Islay across to mainland Scotland. Geographically, Machrihanish Dunes is the nearest resort to The Machrie.  

  

 

Visit The Machrie’s website here.  

Go Back To NCG Top 100s Homepage.