Are you looking for a relatively undiscovered first-class stay-and-play retreat where you can enjoy top-class links golf while living it up in a peaceful yet luxurious hotel? Another Place, The Machrie, might just be the one for you.
The Hebridean island of Islay, famed for its peaty-flavoured whiskies, has another trick up its sleeve. It’s the home of a luxury hotel overlooking the Atlantic Ocean with a world-class links course on its doorstep.
It’s the perfect venue for those seeking a relaxing break with great golf and a pampered off-course experience at the same time.
The energetic and curious amongst you may also find pleasure in exploring the wild, secluded beaches, clifftop walks spotting eagles and seals, and, of course, tours and tastings at the famous whisky distilleries.
The Machrie
(Image Credit: Kevin Murray Photography)
The Scots among our readers may be familiar with Islay, and they are likely to know that ‘machrie’ is a word used to describe the landscape of some of the world’s most fabled links golf courses.
Rolling dunes, crashing waves, tight, well-drained turf and often a bit of a hoolie to add to the mix, and you have links golf at its finest.
There is something special about playing golf in the wild surroundings of a links course. Yet, as captivating as they are, some are real brutes, often bringing players back down to earth with a bump when faced with an unforgiving first hole, with trouble left, right and centre, which continues throughout the round.
At The Machrie it’s different. It’s peaceful and as easy on the eye as any links anywhere. But here the pace of play is relaxed, as invariably you will almost have the course to yourself or at least not be kept waiting or pushed from behind.
The fairways are very generous, with shortish carries from the regular tees, so it’s easy to find the short stuff from the off. Those wanting a real challenge, though, can take on the 7,024 yards from the tips.
If you get the right weather - and there are no guarantees of that - you are in golfing heaven.
(Image Credit: Kevin Murray Photography)
First laid out in 1891 by Willie Campbell, it was famed for blind shots everywhere, making strategy over power the number-one requirement for any hope of a good score.
Architect D.J. Russell was hired to carry out a comprehensive remodelling in 2018. Without spoiling the challenge or the course’s natural setting, he widened the fairways and took out a number of the blind shots. Good course strategy is still required, however, as every fairway has an optimal landing spot to make for the best approach. With just three par 3s and three par 5s, approach play and recovery chipping have to be in fine fettle, ensuring it remains a true test of golf.
The result is a relatively undiscovered pure links gem, well worthy of its lofty ranking in the Top 100 courses of the world. Like most links, it is a walking course and not tiring either, although a few buggies are available.
(Image Credit: Kevin Murray Photography)
Conditioning is first-rate and the variety of holes is outstanding and absorbing.
Everything you need before a round is on the doorstep. The pro shop is in the hotel, while a covered driving range, excellent putting and chipping area and small par-3 course are yards from the entrance. Then it’s a short walk to the first tee and away you go.
The Hotel
The Machrie is the second hotel in the Another Place collection. With just 43 rooms, it provides very personal service in chic and contemporary surroundings. Bedrooms are well appointed and the public spaces feature a striking modern art collection and the 18 Restaurant & Bar, with a small balcony overlooking the 18th green. Outside is a sauna and hot tub, and it’s an easy stroll to the beach.
Off Course
Islay is renowned by connoisseurs for its distinctive, rich, peaty, iodine-flavoured whiskies from its 10 distilleries. Ardbeg, Lagavulin and Laphroaig are among the best known, all situated in the south of the island with visitor centres and tasting rooms. A particularly enjoyable way to visit them is on foot via the 5.5km Three Distilleries Pathway from Port Ellen.
A walk along the Mull of Oa nature reserve gives the opportunity to spot golden eagles and grey seals.
Getting There
Loganair has twice-daily flights from Glasgow, but we took the opportunity to explore the shores of Loch Lomond and Loch Fyne, with an overnight stay in the pretty village of Inveraray, which is an hour’s drive from Kennacraig, home of the ferry terminal for Islay.
For more information, please visit https://another.place/the-machrie or visit our travel partners Golfbreaks by clicking here.
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