The Machrie Hotel

Islay, Scotland

Seeing the sun dip slowly over the gently rumpled landscape, fringed by sand dunes, into the Atlantic is a sight you never of tire of when you’re staying at The Machrie on Islay. The Hebrides (Inner, in this case) on Scotland’s west coast are little chunks of wild beauty, and Islay has the added benefit of being home to some of the finest smoky Scotch whiskies in the world – nine distilleries on an island 40km by 24km is good going. The Machrie, facing an 11km beach, is the perfect base, or rather destination, especially given it’s home to an 18-hole championship golf course with a heritage going back to 1891. There are golden eagles, epic water birdlife, endless hikes and a whisky tour to end all tours; then, at the end, you return to local produce served with the lightest touch, roaring fires, and, go on then, another dram to finish.

Doubles from £293. 01496 302310, themachrie.com

Words by Alex Mead.

This review was taken from the October 2023 issue of Food and Travel. To subscribe today, click here.