In this part of the world, there are only epic golf courses! Machrihanish Dunes might be the newest of those on the Kintyre Peninsula, but it is right up there as one of the best…
It is a venue that only opened in 2009, but one that has since turned itself into a golfing destination, and one that more and more visitors will be making the trip to as time goes on!
Next to the neighbouring Machrihanish, which outdates it by more than 130 years, this area of the Kintyre Peninsula is blessed with amazing golf.
History
Golf has been played in Machrihanish since the late 1870s, when the four-time Open Championship winner Old Tom Morris laid out the first course in the region – Machrihanish.
It would be a further 130 years before the town saw a second golf course be constructed. David McLay Kidd, who grew up on the Kintyre Peninsula, designed the layout that became Machrihanish Dunes.
His layout runs between the dunes of the area, neighbouring Morris’ design its next-door neighbour. The course opened in 2009, and Machrihanish Dunes is the only course in the world to have been designed and laid out on a Site of Specific Scientific Interest (SSSI).
Why is Machrihanish Dunes special?
Like the other venues in this region, including Machrihanish and Dunaverty, there is that wonderful feeling that you are in the middle of nowhere, well away from the hustle and bustle of normal working life.
Even from Glasgow, reaching this part of the world requires either a four-hour drive, a two-hour ferry, or another flight to get to the Kintyre Peninsula.
Machrihanish Dunes is also well into the process of turning itself into a proper, golfing resort, to entice more and more golfers to spend time in this fabulous part of the world!
The Machrihanish Dunes Resort already ranks inside the top 30 on the NCG Top 100s: GB&I Resorts list, and with upgrades and additions, expect to see it rise as the years go on…
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RELATED: Machrihanish Dunes – the remarkable links turning into a full-scale resort
Where does it rank?
Course: 81st in GB&I, 37th in Scotland, 5th in Argyll & Bute
Resort: 22nd in GB&I Resorts
Where is Machrihanish Dunes?
Machrihanish Dunes is one of the westernmost venues that has a place on the NCG Top 100s: Scotland list. It is in the Scottish county of Argyll and based on the Kintyre Peninsula. Campbeltown is five miles to the east of the venue. Campbeltown Airport is the nearest to Machrihanish Dunes. It is just a couple of miles down the road, and only one service runs from Campbeltown. That is a LoganAir service to Glasgow which flies twice a day in both directions. Glasgow Airport then offers flights around Europe and to some destinations further afield.
Get in touch with Machrihanish Dunes
For more information about the club and course, visit its website or call them on 01586 810000.
You can play at Machrihanish Dunes on the NCG Top 100s Tour this year!
- Book your spot to play at Machrihanish Dunes on the NCG Top 100s Tour on August 6th, 2026 here.
- You can also play at Machrihanish and Dunaverty in our Kintyre Peninsula Swing – check that out here.
Now have your say
Have you ever had the pleasure of playing at Machrihanish Dunes? Let us know your thoughts with a post on X, formerly Twitter!
