Its name (in Scots[1] and English) is derived from the Gaelic word Machair meaning low-lying or level land, known as "links" on the east coast of Scotland.

The North Atlantic Drift or Gulf Stream creates a mild climate, and dolphins and basking sharks are frequently seen in the seas.

The cliffs continue as far as the beautiful sandy beach at Monreith ( childhood home of the author Gavin Maxwell), and on past Port William.

Generally speaking the Eastern half of the Machars can be described as being a landscape of rolling green hills and scattered woodland which forms a perfect setting for the large scale dairy industry which can be found here.

The highest point of the Machars can be found here, Mochrum Fell, however for the most part the terrain can be characterised as a series of low, stony ridges interspersed by large expanses of peat bog and moorland and many small lochs.

Burrow Head (the southernmost tip of the peninsula) is about 18 miles (29 kilometres) from Point of Ayre on the Isle of Man, and trade links have long existed between the two places, much of which involved smuggling.