Machrie Hotel & Golf Club, Islay – A Sad Sad Day

It was very sad for Jim to read about the closing of the Machrie Hotel and Golf Club due to the company that owns it going into administration.

The golf course which is rated in the top 100 in the world was designed by the world class golf architect Willie Campbell in 1891.

The current economic downturn is said to be the cause of its closure. The worst part being that 15 of the18 staff have been made redundant.The remaining staff are there for maintainance purposes.

Blair Nimmo, joint administrator and head of restructuring for KPMG in Scotland, said: “Both the hotel and golf course have excellent reputations and are regarded as destination venues for visitors to Islay”.

The Whisky Boys are hoping it will not take too long for a new buyer to be found and this grand old lady of Islay to be up and running once more.

Jim has many a fond memory of sitting at the bar and enjoying one of the vast selection of single malts that sat on the gantry.

Islay needs the Machrie, it brings in many a visitor and much needed revenue and employment for this fabulous island.