Golf on Islay: Scotland’s Wild West Coast Golf & Whisky Escape
If your heart is set on authentic Scottish golf with a twist of adventure, there’s nowhere quite like Islay. Known as “The Queen of the Hebrides,” this island blends two of Scotland’s greatest treasures: links golf and world-renowned whisky. Far from the well-trodden St Andrews–Carnoustie–Aberdeen path, an Islay golf trip is for those who want something more remote, more soulful, and absolutely unforgettable.
Isle of Islay
Golf: Machrie Links – A World-Class Hidden Gem
Islay has one course—and that’s all it needs.
Machrie Golf Links
• Originally built in 1891, completely redesigned in 2017
• Set across rolling dunes along Laggan Bay
• Open, natural, wide fairways but with classic links challenges
• A beautifully modern clubhouse and hotel attached
• Consistently ranked among the top links experiences off the beaten path
Machrie feels like golf from another era: raw, rugged, quiet, and deeply memorable. On some days you may only see a handful of other groups on the entire course.
Whisky: Where the Legends Live
Islay is home to nine distilleries, each with a distinct character. A few highlights:
• Lagavulin – deep, smoky, iconic
• Laphroaig – medicinal peat lovers’ heaven
• Ardbeg – bold flavours, big personality, and now home to the new Ardbeg Hotel
• Bowmore – one of Scotland’s oldest distilleries
• Bruichladdich – modern, experimental, non-peated options
• Bunnahabhain, Caol Ila, Kilchoman, Ardnahoe – more remote, more intimate, and worth the journey
For whisky lovers, there’s no island that compares.
How to Get to Islay
Despite its remote feel, Islay is easier to reach than most imagine.
By Air
• Loganair flights from Glasgow (approx. 45 minutes)
• Small aircraft, limited luggage—plan ahead if carrying clubs
By Ferry
• From Kennacraig on the Kintyre Peninsula
• Approx. 2 hours to Port Ellen or Port Askaig
• Beautiful sailing and an adventure in itself
• Book early during peak months
Pro Tip:
If travelling with a group, ferries are often easier for clubs, luggage, and whisky purchases on the return journey.
Where to Stay
Machrie Hotel
Ideal for golfers wanting convenience and comfort beside the course.
Ardbeg Hotel
A brand-new option integrated into the legendary distillery experience—perfect for whisky-forward travellers.
Bowmore, Port Ellen & Port Charlotte Guesthouses
Great local hospitality and good access to food, pubs, and evening walks.
Who Is Islay Perfect For?
• Golfers who want something different from the big-name circuits
• Whisky fans who want to explore the heartland of peat
• Couples and groups looking for quiet luxury
• Adventurous travellers wanting rugged scenery and slower rhythms
• Those building an extended Scottish itinerary with a unique twist
A Perfect 2–3 Day Itinerary
Day 1: Travel to Islay → check in at Machrie → sunset walk on Laggan Bay
Day 2: Round at Machrie → lunch → distillery visits (Lagavulin, Ardbeg, Laphroaig)
Day 3: Explore Bowmore, Bruichladdich or Kilchoman → optional second round → depart
Why Add Islay to a Golf Trip?
Because it adds soul.
Because it feels like an adventure.
Because it’s unlike anywhere else in Scotland.
Thinking Ahead to 2026 or 2027? Let’s Chat Early
If you’re considering organizing a Scotland trip in the next 18 months, winter is an ideal time to start shaping ideas. Early conversations allow for better routing, smarter pacing, and more flexibility across courses and accommodation — especially for groups.
I plan to work with a small number of well-organized group trips each season, so early chats are always worthwhile.
