Southworth has unveiled plans for a “significant resort expansion” to The Village at Machrihanish Dunes in Argyll, Scotland, and is actively vetting hospitality investors and operators regarding potential partnerships.
The Boston-based company’s Scotland golf portfolio includes the renowned Machrihanish Dunes golf course, designed by David McLay Kidd. Machrihanish Dunes has been called “one of the most natural golf courses in the world” and is the first GEO-certified golf course in the U.K. In addition to the golf course, the resort includes two historic hotels restored to modern hospitality standards, five restaurants and pubs, and eight seaside golf cottages.
The expansion project will add a seaside links course adjacent to Machrihanish Dunes, which is to be developed in the same manner.
Tommy Southworth, President of Southworth, said: “Machrihanish Dunes lies on one of the most unique pieces of land in the world, so it is only fitting that we expand our offerings for all types of visitors to this special corner of Scotland, while being sensitive to the stunning natural landscape. In combination with Machrihanish Dunes and other area links courses, including the acclaimed Machrihanish Golf Club, a world top-100 links designed by Old Tom Morris, the addition of another 18-hole links will help turn the Kintyre Peninsula into the next great golfing destination in Scotland.”
Along with the new golf course, these approvals include an expansive golf training facility and practice facility, 73 additional hotel rooms, and 50 golf cottages, and a myriad of additional amenities. Upon completion, Southworth’s assets within the resort will total more than 200 rooms and seven food and beverage outlets to support the 36 holes of golf along with the surrounding acclaimed courses.
Southworth has sought out these expansion permits with the goal of partnering with a world-class hospitality partner to create a resort destination with broad appeal and generous amenity sets that offer something for everyone and expand interest in this beautiful location. Preliminary discussions are underway.
The new golf course sits, in part, on a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and will be created and maintained using the same sustainable practices in use on the existing course. An unwavering dedication to preserving and enhancing the biodiversity of this special landscape has proven successful at Machrihanish Dunes, as evidenced by the re-emergence and flourishing of several wildlife and plant species. The new 18-hole routing will meet Machrihanish Dunes in the linksland along the ocean’s edge and meander its way through the rugged dunescape and into the foothills, creating a unique design that features a mix of awe-inspiring views, dramatic elevation changes and traditional seaside links.
Machrihanish Dunes golf course, designed by David McLay Kidd
“Southworth believes it is paramount that we support and protect the communities and environments where we operate, ensuring we keep each club setting spectacular for generations to come,” said Eleanor Brown, director of sustainability for Southworth. “Being stewards of land and community means operating with a sustainability-first mindset from ideation through the execution of any project or initiative. It also means supporting the communities in which we operate, through local hiring and training, philanthropic initiatives and more.”
True to Southworth’s ethos, the project has included significant input from the local community through regular contact and focus groups.
To ensure a wealth of species thrive, Southworth will partner with NatureScot on a long-term habitat management plan for the lifetime of the golf course, in keeping with the successful model in place at Machrihanish Dunes.
The site is planned to house one of the largest teaching facilities in the UK, with indoor and outdoor practice bays and a nine-acre short-game area. To complement the golf amenities, a new sports and racquet centre will provide visitors with state-of-the-art tennis, pickleball, and football facilities.
The development will also include an approximately 35,000-square-foot clubhouse with a 150-seat restaurant and a large function room that can accommodate up to 250 guests. The clubhouse will also include an indoor and outdoor swimming pool, fitness area, and spa for members.
These additions join the historic Ugadale Hotel, which sits just steps from the “Best Starting Hole in Golf” and the Old Tom Morris Pub, and the captivating Royal Hotel, which is located in the heart of Campbelltown and overlooks its impressive harbor. Together, they form a resort steeped in history and situated in one of the world’s most beautiful and preserved locations.
“We will ensure the pure and authentic surroundings of Machrihanish remain while creating a significant boost to the local economy, not only through the creation of hundreds of jobs upon completion but through utilizing the skillsets of many local companies,” Southworth said. “We remain hopelessly in love with Machrihanish Dunes – the place, the people, and the golf experience.”
Southworth owns and operates private clubs and residential communities across North America, the Caribbean, and Europe. These award-winning properties include: Willowbend on Cape Cod, Mass.; Renaissance on Boston’s North Shore; Meredith Bay on New Hampshire’s famed Lake Winnipesaukee; Creighton Farms in Aldie, Va. 35 minutes west of Washington, DC; Machrihanish Dunes in Argyll, Scotland; and The Abaco Club, located on Great Abaco Island in The Bahamas.
Photo: Machrihanish Dunes (Southworth)
