Machrihanish – Sea-Watching from the Point
A few hours.
The route
At the south end of Machrihanish Bay a small red hide looks straight out into the Atlantic, built so birdwatchers can stay dry in the wild weather that brings the best birds close.
Seabirds, waders, otters and seals pass the point through the year, and the warden is glad to help you name what you see. Afterwards, lunch is by the fire in the village's old golf clubhouse, now a pub.
Before you go
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, 38 miles away. Sleeps 18.
Then Glenstriven House, 45 miles away. next free Sun 25 Oct to Tue 27 Oct.
The day
Machrihanish
A morning watching the sea from the point, then a warm lunch back in the village.
About three hours
Machrihanish Seabird / Wildlife Observatory
An attraction
The Seabird and Wildlife Observatory stands on Uisaed Point, a low promontory at the south end of Machrihanish Bay, about a mile west of the golf club and well signposted from the village. There's parking for three cars beside it. Its outside viewing platforms are open at all times, and the warden opens the hide on most mornings in the busy seasons. If you want it open on a particular day, ring or text the warden, David Millward, on 07737 985874 first. The observatory asks for donations towards repairing storm damage. In autumn, onshore gales can push Leach's petrels, Balearic shearwaters, Sabine's gulls and grey phalaropes close inshore, as seabirds and waders stream south past the point. In winter look for great northern divers, purple sandpipers and turnstones, and in summer for golden eagles and peregrines over the hills behind. Otters are seen regularly, and grey and common seals are often about, though nothing is promised. The warden can help you name what you see. The hide has a ramp and a wide door for wheelchairs, dogs are welcome, and there's a picnic area; the nearest toilets are in the village. Wrap up warm, and in a big sea keep well back from the edge of the rocks.
The Old Clubhouse
Lunch
Lunch is back in the village at the Old Clubhouse, two minutes' drive east. It was Machrihanish Golf Club's first clubhouse, from 1876, and is now a pub with a wood-burning fire. It opens every day from noon, serving pub food until 10pm, with vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free choices. Behind the bar are local ales and a long list of malt whiskies, and the beer garden looks across the bay to Islay and Jura. Over Christmas and New Year, check before going.
If it rains
The hide is built for wild weather and shelters you while you watch; the pub has a wood-burning fire for afterwards.
Photographs by Karen Morrison, Konrad Waszkiewicz and Yu Park via Google