EDINBURGH — Gordon Campbell Gray, Founder of Campbell Gray Hotels, announced the much anticipated opening of The Machrie Hotel and Links on Islay.

He said: “I cannot tell you how thrilled I am to be opening our first hotel in Scotland. As a Scot I have often thought of this day and for it to be on the stunning island of Islay (The Queen of The Hebrides) could not be better. The scenery, the wildlife, the coastline, one of the finest Links courses in the world, coupled with the people and of course its positioning in The Inner Hebrides makes it the perfect place to stay and to explore other nearby islands.”

The Machrie Hotel has been closed for the last few years and, following a complete renovation and expansion, re-opened in September 2018. The Machrie sits on seven miles of glorious, pristine beach, which guests can access via a private footpath.

“Our vision is that it will be everything one would wish for in a hotel on a beautiful Scottish island. It has a fabulous location and has been designed with a great sense of place with, at the same time, many unexpected touches. The new hotel buildings have been modernized by renowned architecture firm Hudson Architects, who have designed a beautiful contemporary extension and refurbishment of the original Victorian hotel building. Interiors have been created in collaboration with Peter Young Design, with whom we have worked on previous projects. Much of the furniture and many other items have been specially designed and made in Scotland, but most important of all...The Machrie will offer the finest of Scottish welcomes,” he added.

The hotel consists of 47 guestrooms, suites and lodges, some of which have their own kitchens and outdoor terraces. There is a stunning restaurant which overlooks the eighteenth green, the golf course and the sea with a south-west facing terrace affording sunset views over the Atlantic

The restaurant will specialize in the very best that Scotland has to offer from the land, the sea and the air There is also a Spa with two treatment rooms, a sauna and gym. A private meeting and dining room plus a private screening room is available for both hotel guests and visitors to enjoy. It is the first cinema space on the island and is anticipated to prove very popular. The Machrie Links Golf Course. Complementing the fully refurbished Machrie Hotel is the stunning dune land of The Machrie Links set on the Big Strand in Laggan Bay on Islay.Golf has been played at The Machrie since 1891,with the original design by Scottish Golf Professional Willie Campbell.The course has now been fully modernised by former European Tour player and Ryder Cup Vice-Captain DJ Russell, the architect of Archerfield Links. Highly placed in Scottish and UK rankings, The Machrie Links combines the very best of a traditional, historic links course with a modern layout and green complexes. Golf at The Machrie offers enjoyment and a challenge for golfers of all abilities

Along with the iconic 18 hole Links there is also The Wee Course which offers six par-3 holes which can be played from a multitude of tees, a golf academy with indoor technical suite and covered driving range, a short game area and the Hebrides putting course. The hotel itself plays as a brilliant backdrop to the new 18th hole and the course’s seaside location along the crescent beach’s sandy dunes makes it utterly outstanding. — SG