About halfway down the Kintyre peninsula lies the amazing 9 holes of Carradale.  With stunning views across to Arran and Ailsa Craig, Carradale is no pushover but instead provides a solid test of golf for golfers of all abilities.  After golf, continue south to the Ugadale Hotel, checking in for 3 nights.

There's something magical about David McLay Kidd's design at Machrihanish Dunes.  David spent summers playing on the adjacent Machrihanish Golf Club course and fishing in the waters that run through the course and his love of the landscape is borne out across his design for this course; as it is at both Bandon Dunes and The Castle Course, St Andrews.

With rocky outcrops, blind shots, extreme changes in elevation, pot bunkers and amazing coastal views - including out over to Sanda Island - Dunaverty sits slightly closer to Northern Ireland than 'mainland' Scotland.  The square greens are a joy but don't be fooled, there are subtle borrows here.  Wild and rugged, unpretentious fun pretty much defines Dunaverty.

Machrihanish is a terrific old-style links course with surprises around every corner.  There’s a lot made of the opening tee shot but this course is so much more than that.  Some of the holes on the back nine are just breathtaking and the views over to Islay and Jura are captivating.  A great way to end any trip to this wonderful corner of Scotland.