Arran is much closer to mainland Scotland and to the great courses along the Ayrshire coast. Turnberry, Royal Troon and Prestwick where in 1860 the first Open Championship was held. Three 12-hole rounds played all in one day and the winner Willie Park Snr. presented with a red Morocco Belt with silver clasps which was purchased by the members at the equivalent cost of £25.
Shiskine is located on the western side of the Isle of Arran and it's a half-hour drive from the Brodick Ferry terminal to Blackwaterfoot and the Shiskine golf course which is close by the King's Cave. Reputed to be the hiding place of Robert the Bruce and who upon viewing the persistence of a wee spider weaving its web decided to once again take on the English and ultimately win at the Battle of Bannockburn.
Shiskine and The Machrie have much in common. Both are typical linksland courses with the major difference being that Shiskine has only 12 holes and making it without a doubt the most famous 12-hole golf course in the world.
In 1997, Golf Monthly voted Shiskine as the 77th best course in the UK and Ireland and in doing so were criticised by many of golf's cognescenti; A fun course well worth a visit indeed yes but c'mon 77th best? And I'll just say best of the next best.
In regards to what's a sill. The simplistic description is that it's a horizontal mass of igneous rock which over aeons has squeezed itself up between two beds of older rocks.
The Isle of Arran is a Mecca for geologists and likewise for international golfers on a pilgrimage to Scotland; "The Home of golf". And for malt whisky lovers there’s the Arran distillery which makes my Kiwi-born daughter and myself feel right at home in Arran with a population of less than 6,000.
There are seven golf courses albeit most of them only 9-hole courses and some with very good short holes and spectacular views of the Holy Isle and the Ayrshire coast.
A wee trip to taste Arran Distillery’s ‘Machrie Moor’ single malt was a must before sailing back to the mainland to taste Prestwick’s legendary cure for a shocking score; a brim-full schooner of Kummel.