Machrihanish pics

[Andy Levett]

A couple of people have said recently they don't want to see pictures of a course before visiting in person because it diminishes the impact. Though I enjoy  seeing 'taster' pictures I can see this point of view so I've posted snaps of a visit to the Big Mac this summer on my new blog.
This link takes you straight there.
There's also some on there of West Lancs, though the light wasn't as good.

[Gary_Nelson]

Andy,

Excellent photos.  They really show off the rolling terrain.  It's tough to get photos that show elevation changes but you've done it.  The rolling hills made me a bit seasick.  

Hope to get to Machrihanish someday.

Gary

[wsmorrison]

Andy,

Thank you for posting these photographs.  I'm going to rearrange my trip set for summer 2005 and get to Machrihanish.  Since part of my trip will be at Prestwick, Turnberry, Western Gailes I was wondering what is the best way to travel to Machrihanish and then from there head north to Dornoch.  I'm going with my oldest son and he'd love to take a ferry ride if possible and not too out of the way.  

Best,
Wayne

[Marc Haring]

Great pics Andy. One day, One day..............

[Dan Kelly]

"Is this heaven?"

"No, it's Machrihanish."

I can't remember when I've seen more drool-worthy (golf) pictures.

Thanks.

[Marty Bonnar]

Thanks for the memory Jog, Andy. You'll be making Mr Kilfara extremely 'homesick'!
Did you make it around the corner to Dunaverty while you were there? Another wee gem! Despite being the one-and-only Clubhouse in Scotland I've been in that wasn't licensed!!!

FBD.

[Robert Thompson]

Wayne and Sean: Would it not be easier to take the highway past Stirling and head north on it? I seem to recall heading back from Dornoch to Gleneagles and finding it far shorter than I expected. We left early in the morning, got to Gleneagles in time for a twilight rate game and went to Glasgow for the evening.


Robert

[Darren_Kilfara]

Andy - nice pics. I particularly like the ones of the 5th green and the 10th tee shot.

Wayne - the fastest way of getting from Ayrshire to Machrihanish is to drive it (approximately 5 to 5.5 hours), but Sean is right in that your other option involves three relatively short drives and two ferry connections via Arran. Claonaig to Machrihanish takes only just over an hour (not 2.5 hours, Sean, FWIW). The fastest, and prettiest, way to Inverness, in my extensive experience - having lived in Campbeltown and had in-laws who lived in Inverness - is to take the A82 north to Inveraray, sneak up on the A819 to near Dalmally, go east on the A85 and then join the A82 north near Tyndrum and go through the Glencoe region (which is stunning) and up past Loch Ness to Inverness. It takes about 6 hours to get from Campbeltown to Dornoch (5 hours to get from Campbeltown to Inverness).

Hope that helps...

Cheers,
Darren

[wsmorrison]

Sean, Robert, and Darren,

Thanks for the great advice, it echos much the content that David Bowen and Neil Regan emailed me offline.  I think we'll enjoy taking the ferry (can't drive on the wrong side of the road while parked) and take the scenic route north to Dornoch.  David also mentioned playing Shiskine so I will schedule that, sounds great.  With winter settling down in Philadelphia pretty soon, I'm hoping thoughts of this trip make the time pass by quickly.  I'll get the map out and let my mind drift away.

Happy holidays,
Wayne

[Don Dinkmeyer]

Thanks for posting that. I have friends that go to a big event there each May - I've seen a few pics but never such a comprehensive story.

I've now been there -  

[Neil Regan]

Machrihanish 8th Hole

Those are runway landing lights on the 9th hole fairway dune behind the 8th green. Tee shots (and others) have struck low-flying planes.

[Tom Dunne]

Neil,

That photo just became my cpu's wallpaper (replacing a 3rd grader's drawing of a menacing Abe Lincoln, complete with black thunderheads in the background....which is entirely another story, I suppose.).

Anyway, did you take that picture? It's excellent--as are Andy Levett's, I might add. Great thread!

[Andy Levett]

I'm glad people liked the pics. The light (and the subject, of course) were superb and a real  photographer lucky enough to be there at that time would have got something very special.
I'm afraid it was a whistle-stop visit Martin, so I missed Dunaverty (and Shiskine, and The Machrie ... so many courses, so little time). I think you posted some pictures of Machrihanish last winter (?) - seeing those were probably what tipped me over the edge.

[Gene Greco]

A little story:

   I love this place so much and have talked about it so often in my home.

   One year we had cornish game hens in lieu of turkey at Thanksgiving.

    The next year my son asked if we were having "Machrihanish" game hens again for Thanksgiving.

[T_MacWood]

Andy
Cool site and pictures. It is no wonder Machrahanish was loved by so many back in the day.

[Dan Kelly]

The next year my son asked if we were having "Machrihanish" game hens again for Thanksgiving.

The year he asks for Geoffrey game hen, you'll know he's really caught the bug.

[Mark_Rowlinson]

Andy,

Lovely to see the pics.  Please keep them coming.

Mark.

[Neil Regan]

Andy,

  Great pictures, they make my heart ache.

  I'll post a few more, if you don't mind.



The 3rd Hole

[Neil Regan]

The 5th, Punchbowl

[Neil Regan]

The 8th

[Neil Regan]

The 18th, from Ardell House

[Neil Regan]

The hill behind the clubhouse