The Machrie Links
Port Ellen, Isle of Islay · Designed by Founded 1891; rebuilt by DJ Russell (2018) · Est. 1891
Why this Edge Score: On the whisky island of Islay, The Machrie is a wild, remote links first laid out in 1891 and rebuilt by DJ Russell in 2018. Big natural dunes, a hotel on site and eight distilleries within reach make it one of Britain's great golf-and-whisky escapes.
The Machrie sits on the whisky island of Islay, off Scotland's west coast, on a stretch of duneland along Laggan Bay. First laid out in 1891 and long a cult favourite famous for its blind shots and hidden greens, it was extensively rebuilt by DJ Russell and reopened in 2018 alongside a new hotel, sharpening the course while keeping much of its old eccentric charm.
Getting there is part of the appeal - a ferry or a short flight from Glasgow - and the reward is a wild, remote links wrapped around big natural dunes with the Atlantic on the doorstep and a distillery or eight within reach. It is one of the great golf-and-whisky escapes in Britain.
Highlights
- On the whisky island of Islay
- Cult 1891 links rebuilt by DJ Russell (2018)
- Big natural dunes along Laggan Bay
- A golf-and-whisky escape
Visitor Information
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Course Facts
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