Golfers visiting Machrihanish in Scotland will have a wider choice of accommodation from the first quarter of 2012.

The restoration projects at the Ugadale Hotel in Machrihanish itself and the Royal Hotel in nearby Campbeltown are nearing completion. Both restorations are being undertaken by US firm Southworth Development as part of the Machrihanish Dunes golf project. Machrihanish Dunes golf course itself, designed by David McLay Kidd, opened in 2009.

Once regarded as the pinnacle of luxury accommodation in the west of Scotland, the Ugadale closed its doors nearly 30 years ago.  The new-look Ugadale will open in the first quarter of 2012, with 22 guest rooms and suites, the Kintyre Club restaurant and an innovative spa.

“The Ugadale Hotel in Machrihanish continues to progress as expected with completion and opening to take place in early 2012,” said Southworth’s Marc Wexler. “We are pleased with the progress to date and look forward to reopening this iconic turn of the century hotel and bringing a new standard of accommodation to the region.”

The Royal, which has for many years sat mostly empty at a prominent crossroad in the heart of Campbeltown, is also slated to reopen during the first quarter of 2012.  It is currently being restored to feature 23 rooms, a gourmet restaurant and pub, all overlooking Campbeltown Harbour. 

“The revived Royal Hotel will add more street life to the town’s historic crossroads and is key to solidifying the community regeneration project,” said David Southworth. “We are excited to play a small part in the Renaissance of Campbeltown, a town that once thrived in trade and tourism and will once again be Scotland’s destination for business and leisure travel.”

Grants for the restoration of the Ugadale and the Royal have been provided by Highland and Islands Enterprise and the European Regional Development Fund, Argyll & Bute Council’s Campbeltown Town Centre Regeneration Project, along with a special grant to the Royal Hotel by the Scottish Executive through Historic Scotland.