The new Machrihanish Dunes golf course in Mull of Kintyre - the first 18 hole links course developed in the West of Scotland for over 100 years - was officially opened today.

Machrihanish Dunes is another step towards the economic revival of the Cambeltown area, following the announcement of a new Creamery on the Kintyre peninsula and the safeguarding of jobs at the Skykon wind turbine manufacturing plant near Campbeltown.

The new course, designed by Scotsman David McLay Kidd and developed by Kintyre Development Company, will employ up to 15 full time members of staff and up to 70 occasional staff as caddies.

Minister for Enterprise, Energy and Tourism, Jim Mather, said: "Scotland is the undisputed 'Home of Golf' and I am delighted to officially open Machrihanish Dunes - a testament to the high quality golf courses our country has to offer.

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"Golf is a key theme of our Homecoming celebrations and there is no better time to celebrate a new course than after the success of The Open this weekend.

"Golf tourism is worth around £97m annually to Scotland and it is clear that Machrihanish Dunes will bring economic and social benefit to Kintyre and the wider community. Investment of this type is enormously important at any time, and never more so than during the current economic downturn."

The developer plans to invest up to £20m in the Machrihanish development which also includes the Old Club House Pub, Ugadale Hotel & Golf Cottages and The Royal Hotel.

Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) has provided funding towards the development of Machrihanish Dunes to the tune of over £600,000 which includes over £200,000 of EU funding.

Douglas Cowan, HIE's Area Manager for Argyll and the Islands said: "The international interest which this development will bring from golfers and visitors offers an enormous opportunity for the wider community.

"The investment has created a renewed confidence in promoting Kintyre's natural resources and, alongside recent investments in renewable energy, will position the area well for a more prosperous future."

Machrihanish Dunes Golf Course is adjacent to Machrihanish Golf Club.

(GK/JM)