Whether you’re just looking to explore this stunning island, home to some of the world’s finest whiskies, birdlife, seafood and dramatic coastal seascapes, or you’re taking on the challenge of their championship links golf course, The Machrie will be the perfect place to explore this picturesque island.
An 18th century converted farmhouse, The Machrie boasts 47 stylish rooms, suites and lodges. Each room has been tastefully decorated, many with fabulous views over the fairway towards the ocean.
Dining options include the restaurant and bar, 18, located on the first floor of the hotel with outdoor terrace, panoramic views whilst a private dining room will appeal to those looking for a more intimate dining experience. Facilities include a 30-seat cinema; function room ideal for board meetings and private dinners and boutique health and wellness facilities – PureGray Spa & Gym – offering a range of massages, facials, manicures and pedicures; sauna and 24hr gym.
Conveniently located alongside 7 miles of pristine beach, guests can enjoy picnics, long walks, beach games and private fitness sessions, all accessed by the hotels private footpath. .
Set in the dunes of Islay, Queen of the Hebrides, The Machrie Links is one of the most beautiful locations in world golf. Originally designed in 1891 by Willie Campbell, the course has now been fully modernised by D J Russell, the former European Ryder Cup Vice Captain and PGA tour player.
There is a reason why the Scots invented golf on links land, Machrie land, and the links turf on which the course sits is among the finest in Scotland. The dramatic setting of Laggan Bay and the sand dunes has few equals, and with the ever changing nature of the challenge offered by this acclaimed layout it’s time you played the Machrie!
What makes a stay at The Machrie Hotel & Golf Links unique?
The hotel offers guests the perfect place to meet and relax including, 18, the impressive restaurant with panoramic views of the Links and ocean.
The friendly, attentive staff offer a wealth of knowledge on what to see and do to ensure you have a magical time and can't wait to return to explore it all again.
With 9 whisky distilleries on the island offering some of the finest Scottish malts, no trip to Islay is complete without a visit to experience the whisky process ... not forgetting to sample a few !
What are the rooms and facilities on offer at The Machrie Hotel & Golf Links?
The Machrie offers 47 rooms, suites and lodges. There are 39 rooms in the main hotel and 4 lodge suites that can connect with 4 lodge rooms located adjacent to the hotel. Deluxe, executive and lodge accommodation are also available as twins on request.
All rooms and suites are decorated in a Scot-Scandi style with fresh tones and rich, textured fabrics. All rooms offer fabulous views of the surrounding countryside with many with views out of the golf course and Atlantic Ocean.
What can guests enjoy when staying in the Isle of Islay area?
The Isle of Islay is the southernmost island of the Inner Southern Hebrides of Scotland and lies in Argyll and Bute. The Isle of Jura, the Kintyre peninsula and Northern Ireland are Islay's neighbours.
There are many things to see and do besides visiting the distilleries and enjoying the scenery and wildlife. Golf, cycling, fishing and hillwalking are only a few of the many possible activities you can do. Several annual festivals on the island attract many visitors, especially the Islay Festival of Malt and Music, which is held in May. Other festivals are the Islay Jazz Festival, the Rugby Festival and the Cantilena festival.
There are several remarkable hand craft businesses on Islay. The Persabus Pottery, Islay Woollen Mill and Islay Quilters should be on every visitor's itinerary. Some of these handcraft businesses can be found in Islay House Square, Islay Ales is one of them, and is Islay's only Brewery. Islay offers many wonderful and quiet sandy beaches all around the island, some more suitable for swimming than others. Most beaches on the shores of Loch Indaal and Laggan Bay are safe for swimming, but it's always best to check for currents, tides and weather before dashing off into the sea. The Atlantic west coast of Islay is particularly beautiful because of stunning bays at Machir, Saligo and Sanaigmore. Islay also offers some of the most impressive sunsets and you have the perfect view from The Machrie's restaurant and terrace or down on the beach. Interesting and beautiful villages like historic Port Charlotte, Bowmore with its Round Church, Port Ellen and Portnahaven will make your stay complete. Also not to be missed is the Museum of Islay Life where the visitor gets a good impression of Island life in earlier and historic times.
The scenery, the wildlife, the coastline, one of the finest Links courses in the world, coupled with the people, makes The Machrie the perfect spot from which to explore the Isles of Scotland’s west coast.
Where can guests enjoy food and drink?
Overlooking the 18th green of the Championship Links course and the ocean beyond, 18 is a stunning restaurant & bar.
Located on the first floor of the hotel, this impressive restaurant has a vaulted glass ceiling and an outdoor terrace offering panoramic south westerly views over the Links and down to Laggan Bay. You can gaze over the crystal blue sea from the terrace, the perfect place to sit for dinner or to enjoy a sunset with a fine Islay malt.
18 specialises in the finest that Scotland has to offer from the land, the sea and the air; a real showcase of exquisite cuisine. The passionate chefs have created menus offering simple yet exquisite dishes, using all the very best produce which can be sourced locally.
The Stag Lounge, with picture window from ceiling to floor, is perfect to meet with friends for coffee, catch-up over afternoon tea or enjoy a perfect service gin before or after dinner. The Courtyard Lounge on the ground floor is ideal for planning the day ahead and relax to catch up on the news. Both lounges have fabulous log fires, perfect for heating your toes after a fresh winter walk with a soothing hot chocolate.
Other Information
Golf at The Machrie offers enjoyment and a challenge for golfers of all abilities and age and along with the stunning 18-hole Links, there is also the Wee course, which offers six par-3 holes which can be played from a multitude of tees, a 5-bay covered driving range, short game area and the spectacular Hebrides putting course.
The PureGray Spa offers two treatment rooms offering a wide range of beauty treatments by 'Ishga'. The Western Isles have some of the cleanest waters in the world where Ishga products sustainably hand harvest the seaweed to produce 100% organic ingredient for their skincare range. Scientific tests have shown that Hebridean seaweed contains natural anti-oxidants that have anti-ageing properties which help protect the skin. Guests have complimentary use of the sauna and 24hr gym during their stay.
