Machrie Bay Golf Course

The golf course at Machrie Bay sits on the Isle of Arran with views across the Firth of Clyde that'll make you forget about your scorecard - though if you're any good, that's probably not a bad thing. It's a proper links course, wind-swept and demanding, the kind of place where you'll actually feel the weather working against you rather than just complaining about it.

You're looking at eighteen holes of genuine challenge here. The course respects its setting without being pretentious about it, which matters. Beginners might struggle with the wind patterns and the layout, but intermediate and experienced players will find it absorbing - the sort of round where you're thinking tactically about every shot. Most rounds run to about four hours, sometimes longer if the wind picks up.

This works brilliantly as part of a broader Arran holiday rather than a standalone destination. If you're staying at Kings Caves Glamping just down the road, you can play early morning before the crowds build, then spend the afternoon exploring the island. Carradale Bay Holiday Park over on the mainland offers similar convenience with a short ferry hop.

The course itself handles visitors decently - check their website for visitor rates and tee time availability before you go, as peak season books up. Best time to play is late spring through early autumn, though the Scottish weather can turn at any point. Not a place for casual golfers after a quick nine holes; this demands respect and proper kit.