Media's prominent ‘power couple’ buy Machrie Hotel and golf links on Islay
One of the UK’s most prominent media-linked “power couples” are reported to be set to save an important slice of Scotland’s golfing heritage.
Baroness Sue Nye, Gordon Brown’s “gate-keeper” and former director of government relations at No 10, and her husband Gavyn (correct) Davies, a former chairman of the BBC, have bought the Machrie Hotel and the Machrie Golf Links on Islay, according to a story today in The Herald by the paper’s Highland correspondent David Ross.
Ross writes: “Reports suggest Machrie Golf LLP partnership, established by Baroness Nye and Mr Davies, paid around £1.3 million for the property, which was originally put up for sale at a price of £1.75m after going into administration last year.
“Detailed plans have yet to be seen but it is understood the new owners see their priority as protecting and improving the existing course. They will also look to upgrade the hotel."
Ross states that local councillors have described the planned revival of Machrie as “great news”. Islay will be able to cope with an influx of golfers and will look forward to them visiting throughout the year.
His report says that the development will be managed by G3k. Chief executive Stewart Smith, a Scottish golf professional for 28 years, is quoted as saying: “It is a privilege to be charged with the development of the Machrie. The new owners recognise The Machrie is an important part of Scotland’s golfing heritage and is crucial to Islay’s economy.
“They intend to preserve the historic appeal of this great links course, while renovating the hotel and clubhouse buildings. It will be one of Scotland’s prime golfing destinations.”
Mr Davies – a former international managing director with Goldman Sachs and now chairman of £1 billion hedge fund Fulcrum Asset Management – is said to be worth £150m.
In 1999 he chaired an inquiry into the future funding of the BBC. Two years later he was appointed vice-chairman of the corporation and was then promoted to chairman.
He resigned in 2004 following the Hutton Inquiry into the BBC’s reporting of the death of Dr David Kelly.
The Machrie Hotel and golf course were previously owned by Graham Ferguson Lacey, an Isle of Man-based businessman and major shareholder in Millwall Football Club.
He is said to have had expansion plans for Machrie but the economic downturn; his other financial interests; and reports of water supply problems, led to the course and hotel being put into administration in December with the loss of 15 of the 18 jobs.
Earlier this year the price was lowered from £1.75m to £895,000 to reflect the market, and Blair Nimmo and Tony Friar of KPMG yesterday (Tuesday) announced they had sold the properties for an undisclosed sum. Reports suggest the price was around £1.3m.
The Machrie property comprises a 16-bedroom hotel, 15 separate lodges, on-site bar and restaurant facilities, golf shop and the championship golf course, which was designed by Willie Campbell of Musselburgh in 1891. It is rated within the UK’s 100 top golf courses.
Islay councillor Robin Currie told The Herald: “If these ambitions are realised Machrie is ideally placed to be developed as a major golf resort, being very close to the airport. Islay will be able to cope with an influx of golfers and will look forward to them visiting throughout the year.”