Machrihanish and the Islands

Visiting Machrihanish on the Mull of Kintyre and Machrie on the Isle of Islay should be on every golfers wish list, especially those with an adventurous spirit. This region of Scotland not only offers some of the best links courses in the world, the islands of the Southern Hebrides also offer some of the very best scenery, culture, heritage and sightseeing activities in all of Scotland. It is truly a unique golf experience.

From downtown Glasgow, it's little more than a three-hour journey down one of Great Britain's most scenic routes to The Village at Machrihanish Dunes. Along the way you'll see Loch Lomond, drive along beautiful Loch Fyne and pass within steps of stately Inverary Castle. If you'd rather fly, there are direct flights from Glasgow to nearby Campbeltown Airport that arrive twice daily during the week (Monday - Friday).

The Isle of Islay (pronounced as Eye-la) is the southernmost island of the Inner Southern Hebrides of Scotland and lies in Argyll and Bute. From Machrihanish it is just a short ferry ride away. The Isle of Jura, Kintyre peninsula and Northern Ireland are Islay's neighbours. Inhabited by approximately 3200 people, Islay is home to Machrie Golf Links, has eight working whisky distilleries, stunning scenery, amazing wildlife and all the friendly people you would want in a unique destination.

Not to be outdone by its neighbors is The Isle of Arran. Arran is one of the most southerly Scottish islands and sits in the Firth of Clyde between Ayrshire and Kintyre. Arran is 19 miles long by 10 miles wide but has a remarkable diversity of landscapes and seascapes. The pretty villages on Arran's beautiful coastline are complemented by a rugged and mountainous interior in the north and green rolling hills and woodland in the south. You will also find one of the most memorable golf courses you will play in Shiskine Golf Club.

The below tour is set up for you to spend a total of six nights and play five of the best courses, including the Old Tom Morris designed Machrihanish Golf Club, Machrie Golf Links and Machrihanish Dunes, the newest gem from Scotsman David McLay Kidd. Along the way you will also enjoy staying in two wonderful properties, including the new Ugadale Cottages at The Village of Machrihanish Dunes. So grab your clubs and come experience for yourself what the Scottish Islands have to offer!

If you have any questions, would like to customize your own Scottish golf adventure or would like to reserve tour space please call (800) 523 0007. See you on the links!

PACKAGE SUMMARY

ACCOMMODATION:

MACHRIHANISH DUNES - Ugadale Cottages
LOCHGREEN HOUSE, TROON - Deluxe Room

GOLF:

MACHRIHANISH DUNES
MACHRIHANISH GOLF CLUB
MACHRIE GOLF LINKS
SHISKINE GOLF CLUB
DUNDONALD LINKS

PACKAGE PRICES

• $1,895 per golfer, double occupancy.

Non-golfer rates available, please inquire.

Prices based on 4 people sharing a minivan with automatic transmission (Ford Galaxy or similar) for the entire stay.

Prices based on May - October travel.

Package Includes:

• 6 nights' hotel accommodations and applicable hotel taxes.
• 5 rounds of golf with prepaid green fees.
• Full breakfast daily.
• Scottish welcome and tour briefing (first night).
• Airport meet & greet service.
• Use of minivan with automatic transmission (Ford Galaxy or similar) for the entire stay.
• Unlimited mileage, VAT (value added tax), Super CDW (collision damage waiver) and Super Theft Protection on the rental car.
• Sightseeing guide book.
• Assistance with Golfpac Scotland office.

ITINERARY

SUNDAY

Depart the States for Scotland, "The Home of Golf."

MONDAY

Arrive Scotland (Glasgow), where you'll be met by a Golfpac International representative who will help secure your rental car and answer any last minute questions. From the airport travel northwest and take the scenic drive past Loch Lomond and then down the Mull of Kintyre to Machrihanish Dunes (3 hour 15 minutes drive, approximately 100 miles) where you will check-in to your 2 bedroom golf cottage.

Travel Option: If you would rather fly, there are direct flights from Glasgow Airport to nearby Campbeltown Airport, via Loganair, that arrive twice daily during the week (Monday-Friday). Once you arrive at Campbeltown Airport, ground transfer arrangements will need to be made while on the islands.

This evening, you'll receive a call at the hotel by Golfpac's professional tour manager for a Scottish welcome and tour briefing (welcome drinks your first night are provided).

ACCOMMODATION:

VILLAGE AT MACHRIHANISH DUNES (UGADALE COTTAGES)

Surrounded by unparalleled natural beauty and tranquility, The Ugadale Cottages are an idyllic sanctuary for those who choose to celebrate life to its fullest. Designed to fit into the landscape and mirror the traditional buildings in western Scotland, each two-bedroom golf cottage has been built from the finest natural materials and appointed with an eye toward casual elegance. The cottages are fully furnished and finished to the highest standard and have a central living area and a kitchenette along with two bedrooms with either two twins or a zip king configuration and en suite bathroom. The Ugadale Cottages are fully serviced and professionally managed.

TUESDAY

GOLF:

MACHRIHANISH DUNES

Set hard against the shores of the Atlantic Ocean on the Mull of Kintyre, Machrihanish Dunes shares breathtaking views with the adjacent Machrihanish Golf Club links. Machrihanish Dunes Golf Club is the first golf course to be have been built on a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSi) since the days of "Old Tom" himself. It is also the first 18-hole links golf course to be built on the west coast of Scotland in 100 years. Designed by renowned Scottish architect David McLay Kidd, the course measures 7,300 yards and features six greens and five tees at the ocean's edge. True to The Way Golf Began, the site of Machrihanish Dunes links featured 23 "natural holes" (definition: a hole which fits so well into the natural landscape prior to construction that only minimal effort is required to ready it for play in terms of grading and shaping work). In a world with over 32,000 golf courses, the development of an authentic links course (there are only 270 in the world) on the west coast of Scotland is most unique. Machrihanish Dunes promises to be a true testament to The Way Golf Began.

Please Note: Green fee at Machrihanish Dunes includes unlimited play on the day of play.

ACCOMMODATION:

VILLAGE AT MACHRIHANISH DUNES (UGADALE COTTAGES)

WEDNESDAY

Drive to nearby Machrihanish Golf Club.

GOLF:

MACHRIHANISH GOLF CLUB

There may be no cooler place for golf than Machrihanish. Laid out by Old Tom Morris in 1876, the course remains one of Scotland's best-kept secrets and is a magnificent links course. The first 14 holes contain some of the most dramatic dunes golf on the planet with brutal rough and easy-to-find bunkers. The finish is somewhat of a breather, but you'll need it after those first 14. Michael Bamberger wrote extensively about Machrihanish in his fine book To the Linksland.

ACCOMMODATION:

VILLAGE AT MACHRIHANISH DUNES (UGADALE COTTAGES)

THURSDAY

Travel north (30 minutes) and take the scenic ferry ride from Kennacraig west to Isle of Islay. Arrive on Islay at Port Ellen. Make the short drive to Machrie Golf Links (option: walk onto the ferry and arrange for the Machrie Hotel shuttle for transport to/from course).

GOLF:

MACHRIE GOLF LINKS

This unforgettable links course remains mostly unchanged from the 1891 layout designed by Willie Campbell. Although hard to get to (you either have to fly from Glasgow or take a ferry), the course is well worth the trip to its remote location on the Isle of Islay along Scotland's west coast. Reminiscent of its neighbor Machrihanish, the course provides stunning views and a real taste of links golf.

Make your return by ferry from Port Ellen to Kennacraig and travel back to Machrihanish.

ACCOMMODATION:

VILLAGE AT MACHRIHANISH DUNES (UGADALE COTTAGES)

FRIDAY

Depart Machrihanish and travel north to Claonaig (30 minutes) where you will take the short scenic ferry ride from Claonaig to Lochranza on the Isle of Arran (located just to the east). Upon arrival travel south (20 minutes) to Blackwaterfoot and nearby Shiskine Golf Club.

GOLF:

SHISKINE GOLF CLUB

This unique 12-hole links course offers spectacular scenery with views of the Mull of Kintyre. When was the last time you played a par-41, 2,990 yard course?

Following golf travel east to Brodick (20 minutes) and take the ferry ride from Brodick on Arran to Ardrossan. Upon arrival at Ardrossan travel south to Troon (30 minutes) where you will spend your final two nights.

ACCOMMODATION:

LOCHGREEN HOUSE, TROON (Deluxe Room)

In the seaside town of Troon you'll find the Lochgreen House, set in its own grounds just off the Ayr/Prestwick Road. Built in 1905 by a Glasgow lawyer, this impressive house sits on 16 acres in the heart of Ayrshire's Burns Country. Lived in by several notable families, Lochgreen has been fully restored to a deluxe country house hotel. Oak panels are featured strongly throughout the hotel with the finest examples being the magnificent entrance hall and the main restaurant. In addition, the hotel restaurant is well known for having excellent food and service.

SATURDAY

Travel to Dundonald Links (15 minutes).

GOLF:

DUNDONALD LINKS

The newest addition to Loch Lomond Golf Club is Dundonald Links. Designed by Kyle Phillips, one of the game's top architects, it has been recognised as one of the best new courses in the world (Robb Report 2004). Situated by the sea near the legendary town of Troon, Dundonald Link's soil and climate conditions make the course suitable for year-round play.

ACCOMMODATION:

LOCHGREEN HOUSE, TROON (Deluxe Room)

SUNDAY

Your wonderful trip has come to an end. Travel back to Glasgow Airport (1 hour 15 minutes) for a return flight to the States.

Tour Information

Not Included

• Caddies at the golf courses. Please inquire about requesting caddies in advance.
• Any items not specifically described in the itinerary.
• PAI (personal accident insurance) and gas on the rental car.
• Items of a personal nature, such as laundry, phone calls, etc.
• Ferry fees (ferry arrangements and cost can be handled in advance by our office).
• Airfare.

Necessary for Booking

When confirming a reservation the following information is needed:

• Full names of everyone in the party and a rooming list.
• A copy of each golfer's handicap card.
• Flight information (arrival & departure).

Reservation Procedures

1. Simply call, write, or fax us with your inquiry.
2. $1000 per person deposit required.
3. Hotels, golf courses, and ground transportation confirmed. All courses and hotels based on availability at time of booking.
4. Full payment due 60 (sixty) days prior to arrival. Approximately 2-4 weeks prior to your departure you will receive all necessary travel documents.

Method of Payment

U.S. currency in the form of agency checks, Visa, MasterCard, American Express, or Discover.

Cancellations

Cancellations after deposit/payment should be made in writing. Cancellation penalties:

• Time reservation is made - 60 days prior to departure: Full deposit forfeited.
• 59-28 days prior: 50% of total package price forfeited, plus any non-refundable fees.
• Thereafter: Full payment forfeited.

Exchange Rates

Tour prices are based on exchange rates effective at time quotation and are subject to change. It may be necessary to add a surcharge to the price of your vacation if fluctuations in the exchange rate deem it necessary. Once full payment has been received surcharges may not be levied.

Refunds

REFUNDS WILL NOT BE GIVEN FOR UNUSED PORTIONS OF ANY TOUR.