Machrihanish Golf Club

"This is land the Almighty created for a golf course" Those were Tom Morris's comments on first seeing the land where he would design the Machrihanish Golf Links. This is natural linksland, through rolling dunes lined with heather to greens established almost as if by nature. It is a pristine environment at the tail end of the Kintyre Peninsula, on Scotland's mainland west coast. On the first tee, and on a clear day, there's the view to Northern Ireland. There's also the drive across the Atlantic to the first hole, said to be one of the greatest starting holes in golf. Getting here is a journey, 3.5 hours from Glasgow, either taking the ferry from Troon to Arran, then from Lochrana to Claonaig, or taking the long drive through Loch Lomond and Loch Fyne down the peninsula. Both are highly recommended with fantastic scenery.