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The Big Strand and afternoon tea at the Machrie
Bowmore

The Big Strand – A Beach Walk and Afternoon Tea

A few hours.

The route

The Big Strand is the longest stretch of sand on Islay, curving round Laggan Bay, and the Machrie hotel sits in the dunes behind it.

Walk out through the dunes for an hour on the beach, then come back in for afternoon tea, with a fire lit and Scottish paintings on the walls. It's a treat for grandparents, a couple or anyone celebrating, and a dog can come too.

Before you go

  1. Book accommodation nearby

    If you are staying over: here are ours nearest where the day starts and ends.

    None of ours is close by: the nearest is The Hollies, 43 miles away. Sleeps 18.

  2. Book the Machrie

    Book afternoon tea at the Machrie at least 24 hours ahead, online or on 01496 302310: it's £35 a head, £50 with a glass of Champagne, and if your dog is coming, ask for a table in the stag lounge.

The day

The Machrie

An hour's walk on Islay's longest beach, then afternoon tea back in the warm at the Machrie.

About two and a half hoursAbout 2 miles on foot

  1. The Big Strand

    The Big Strand

    The Machrie stands by Islay Airport, on the Port Ellen road. Park at the hotel, tell reception you're in for afternoon tea, and look for the small sign to the path through the dunes to the beach. Keep off the golf links, and ask at reception if you're unsure of the way. The sand runs for miles in both directions: walk north towards the airport for a mile and back, with the Oa behind you and the Rhinns across the bay. On a bright, windy day after a storm you may have it to yourselves. In midwinter walk first: in December the sun sets before 4pm.

  2. The Machrie

    The Machrie

    Afternoon tea

    Afternoon tea is served in 18, the Machrie's restaurant over the links and the sea: seafood and savoury canapés, mini quiches, sandwiches and cakes, with herbal teas and coffee. It's £35 a head, or £50 with a glass of Champagne, and must be booked at least 24 hours ahead, online or on 01496 302310. The restaurant isn't dog-friendly, but they'll set your table in the stag lounge if your dog is with you. If there's no table, Ardbeg's Old Kiln Café, east of Port Ellen, serves afternoon teas until 3.30pm on weekdays.

If it rains

In rain, keep the beach walk short or skip it: the tea is indoors, with the fires lit.

Where to stay