A second sold-out charter flight from London Gatwick to Campbeltown departed on Thursday, August 13, strengthening the case for improved air access to the Kintyre peninsula. A third flight, scheduled for October 1, is also fully booked.
Southworth Development and Machrihanish Dunes created the three-flight programme to measure demand for direct access and support proposals for seasonal scheduled services between Campbeltown and Edinburgh Airport.
Loganair operates the charters with support from Highlands and Islands Airports Limited and Highlands and Islands Enterprise. The programme follows an independent economic appraisal by MKA Economics into how investment in Campbeltown Airport could improve connectivity for businesses and communities around the Mull of Kintyre.
Machrihanish Dunes
Three flights test visitor demand
The first charter arrived from Gatwick in July carrying 35 golfers, golf journalists, influencers and whisky enthusiasts. The group spent four days in Kintyre, replacing a lengthy road journey with a direct flight from London.
Guests stayed at the Ugadale Hotel & Cottages and played Machrihanish Golf Club and Machrihanish Dunes. The itinerary also included a tour and tasting at Campbeltown Bond, adding whisky to the golf-focused visit.
“When we launched this charter series, our aim was simple: to demonstrate that there is genuine demand for direct flights to Campbeltown. The success of the inaugural charters, together with the interest in the remaining departures, gives us real confidence that we’ve achieved that.
“Better air connectivity would make Kintyre more accessible for visitors from across the UK and beyond, supporting local businesses, encouraging further investment and helping more people discover everything this remarkable part of Scotland has to offer.
“These flights are the next important steps in building the evidence for future scheduled services, and we’re excited to welcome more visitors to Campbeltown over the coming months.”
With all three departures sold out, the organisers now have booking evidence to present alongside the economic appraisal. They argue that better connections could bring more visitors to Kintyre, increase trade for local businesses and encourage investment in accommodation and hospitality.
Campbeltown
Edinburgh service is the longer-term objective
Although the trial flights operate from Gatwick, the proposed scheduled route would connect Campbeltown with Edinburgh during the main visitor season.
Campbeltown’s existing scheduled air connection is with Glasgow. Loganair describes the journey as a 45-minute flight and already sells a Machrihanish golf day package that combines return flights, airport transfers, meals and a round of golf.
The charter programme is testing whether easier access can expand that market beyond short trips from Glasgow. Direct or improved onward connections would make Kintyre more practical for golfers arriving from elsewhere in the UK or overseas.
The final Gatwick charter on October 1 will complete the trial. Its results will form part of the evidence for the proposed seasonal Edinburgh service.
Machrihanish Dunes 16th
Golf anchors Kintyre’s tourism offer
Machrihanish Golf Club, founded in 1876, is celebrating its 150th anniversary in 2026. Its Old Tom Morris links course begins with the Battery, a famous opening hole requiring a diagonal drive across the beach and Atlantic surf.
Machrihanish Dunes provides the peninsula’s second major links. Designed by David McLay-Kidd, the course opened in 2009 on a Site of Special Scientific Interest and became the first 18-hole course in the UK certified by the GEO Sustainable Golf Foundation.
The wider resort includes the 22-room Ugadale Hotel, eight two-bedroom cottages and the 23-room Royal Hotel overlooking Campbeltown Harbour. Dining and spa facilities broaden its appeal beyond visiting golf groups.
For more information on Machrihanish Dunes, click HERE.
The Kintyre links resort has enlisted the Glasgow group behind Michelin-starred Cail Bruich to overhaul food and beverage operations, with local sourcing at the centre of the new menus.
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Simon Bale is the publisher of Golf Today. A low single-figure handicap golfer, he was previously a major shareholder and course reviewer for Top100GolfCourses.com for over a decade, starting in 2010. Through this role, he developed extensive knowledge of golf course design and architecture while playing more than 300 courses worldwide.
