The Machrie Golf Links

The Machrie occupies a remote stretch of links land on the western coast of Islay, the southernmost of Scotland's Inner Hebrides. The course was originally laid out in 1891 and later redesigned by five-time Open Championship winner J. H. Taylor in the early twentieth century. Its location on this sparsely populated island, accessible by ferry or small aircraft, gives it a distinctly isolated character among Scottish links courses. The surrounding landscape features views across the Atlantic toward Ireland and the neighboring islands of Jura and Colonsay. The routing moves through classic duneland terrain with substantial natural contours and deep bunkers carved into the sandy hillsides. Several holes play through valleys between towering dunes, creating a sense of enclosure uncommon on more open links layouts. The wind off the Atlantic is a constant factor, and the course's exposure means conditions can shift dramatically within a single round. Blind or semi-blind shots appear throughout, reflecting the golden-age design philosophy that embraced the land's natural features rather than flattening them for visibility. The Machrie underwent a significant restoration in recent years to reclaim portions of the original routing and restore Taylor's design intent. The course remains relatively uncommon on the itineraries of most traveling golfers due to Islay's distance from major population centers, though the island's whisky distilleries draw visitors who occasionally combine golf with distillery tours. The club maintains a welcoming, unpretentious atmosphere consistent with its remote setting.