The area surrounding Machir Bay is sparsely populated today, but archeological evidence shows a long history of human settlement.

[2] On 18 November 1835, the Stella, a vessel from Palermo bound for Greenock, ran aground at Machir Bay.

[3] On 16 November 1888, during a storm, a Norwegian barque, La Plata, sailing from Newcastle to Buenos Aires and carrying coal and coke, was wrecked at Machir Bay due to the sudden shift of unsecured cargo, causing the ship to list and run aground after becoming uncontrollable.

[4] Perhaps the most famous incident was the wreck of HMS Otranto in October 1918, shortly before the end of the Great War.

The Charity uses funds raised to support Islay BeachWatch, which keeps the beaches clear of marine litter.