I Portencross Castle

Portencross Castle Events

ANNUAL ART SALE

SATURDAY 25th, SUNDAY 26th jUNE.

The Art exhibition and Sale will be held in the Castle between 11am and 4pm.

See the work of local artists in the setting of the Great Hall - and perhaps take the opportunity to buy an original work of art at an excellent price. Entry is £1 for adults, no charge for children.

Unfortunately normal visiting will not be available during this weekend and there will be no access to the roof.

Teas, coffees and snacks, with home baking, will be served in the marquee at nearby South Banks House. Throw in a walk along the shore - a perfect outing!

All proceeds to Portencross Castle.

 

ANNUAL LIVE MUSIC EVENING Saturday 18th June

CEILIDH IN AID OF PORTENCROSS CASTLE AT SOUTH BANKS HOUSE IN A MARQUEE FROM 1830-22.30 ON SATURDAY THE 18TH OF JUNE. TICKETS AT THE GATE ONLY £10 WHICH INCLUDES A BUFFET AND GREAT MUSIC BY THE MACFADYEN SISTERS. PAY BAR AT GOOD PRICES. ALL WELCOME (OVER 7'S ONLY NAC LICENCE REQUIREMENT). TEL AUDREY ON 01294 823949 TO RESERVE A TABLE OR FOR MORE INFO

 

 

Art Sale Saturday 25th, Sunday 26th June

Information for artists

Please bring up to 3 items on Thursday 23rd June, to the Castle, between 3 and 6pm. All exhibits must be ready to hang with title, name of artist, medium, and price somewhere on the back. We will supply and attach labels. This is a very informal show with no catalogue. Items will be removed as they are sold.

Hanging charge is variable according to size, small (18"x18") £4; medium (27"x27") £5; large £6. Commission remains at 15%.

All proceeds to Portencross Castle. And many thanks to the artists who make the event possible.

 

 

 

Coffee Morning Saturday 21st November

There will be a coffee morning at South Banks House, Portencross on Saturday 21st November between 10.30am and 1pm, to which everyone is warmly invited. Tea, coffee and home baking are all available at a cost of only £5 per person, with all proceeds going towards the maintenance and running of the Castle.

The South Banks House driveway can be used for drop off and pick up, but we would ask everyone to park at the free car park at Portencross, which is only a short walk from the house.

Portencross Castle Christmas cards will be available to purchase.

September 5th/6th

The Castle is taking part in Ayrshire Doors Open Day on Saturday 5th September. Please come along and visit your local heritage.

Please note the Castle will be closed on Sunday 6th September.

Portencross Castle Talk

Portencross Castle is delighted to have the opportunity to offer a talk in the castle on Sunday 30th August at 4pm by distinguished archaeologist Dr Andrew Bicket of Wessex Archaelogy, who has been leading a team in the area investigating aspects of the coastal archaeology. Alastair Glen and Isabel Garrett of Friends of Portencross Castle have braved the cold early hours with the team to catch the secrets of the low tide at Hunterston and this is part of what we hope Dr Bicket will share with us. The title of the talk is 'Recent work on the marine and maritime heritage of North Ayrshire - newarchaeological discoveries in and around Hunterston Sands'.

Numbers are limited to 45 due to the capacity of the Great Hall and places are now offered on a first come, first served basis.

Admission is free, donations towards Dr Bicket's expenses and Castle funds are welcome.To reserve places call 01294 823799.

Meanwhile the castle is open to visitors daily throughout August and the weekends until the end of September. Opening hours 11am - 4pm, last entry 3.45pm.

PLEASE NOTE, the castle will be closed on the afternoon of Friday 28th August for a wedding.

Art Sale - Information for Artists

Please bring exhibits to the castle between 3-6pm on Thursday 25th June. If a queue forms you may have to stand outside, maybe in the rain! (Queueing is rarely necessary after 4pm).

There will be a limit of three items per exhibitor, variable hanging charge depending on the size of the item. Small exhibits, up to 18x18 inches £4; medium, up to 27x27 inches £5; and large £6. Commission on sales 15%. Items should have title, name of artist, medium, and price clearly marked somewhere on the back and be ready to hang. There is no catalogue for the show so we supply and attach labels. Exhibits will be removed as they are sold. Unsold exhibits should be collected on the Sunday between 4-5pm. (it will not be possible to remove items before 4pm).

If you have problems with the above arrangements phone Ann 01294 823799.

Changes may have to be made due to unforeseen circumstances and we reserve the right to do so.

The support and contribution of the artists, essential to the success of this event, is greatly appreciated!

Annual Craft-in-the-Garden

From 11am to 5pm on Saturday 22nd August and Sunday 23rd August,2015, local crafters will demonstrate the creation of their works, and have them available for sale. For the £1 price of admission, much of the day may be spent in viewing all of the various speciality crafts in their formative stages under marquee and gazebo cover. There will be afternoon tea, masses of homebaking and soft drinks available. If that weren't enough...local musicians will be providing soothing melodies for your relaxation. For the children there will be a chance to have your face painted.

Annual Art Sale Fundraiser

This display and sale of work by local artists takes place within the confines of Portencross Castle between the hours of 11am and 4pm on Saturday 27th June and Sunday 28th of June, 2015. Admission is £1. If you are hungry or thirsty taking in all the artwork, Audrey's famous "quality-filled rolls", homebaking, tea/coffee and soft drinks will be available for purchase under marquee and gazebo cover in the garden of nearby South Banks House, where you can sit back and relax.

Annual Music Evening (Ceilidh)

Saturday 20th June 2015. Time to dust off the dancing slippers again and plan to attend the annual fundraiser ceilidh held at the South Banks House garden in Portencross. Starting at 6pm and going strong until 10.30, listening and dancing to the music of the Macfadyen Sisters. It can be a family event, with supervised young people between the ages of 7 years and 16 years accompanied by a responsible parent admitted. Tickets to the event may be purchased at various venues in West Kilbride and Seamill...they can also be pre-ordered by phone (01294 823949). Tables may also be reserved. Adults pay £10 each for entry, music & dancing, good food under marquee cover, a pay bar and the famous Portencross conviviality! The youngsters have all the same for a £5 ticket...except for access to the pay bar! The earlier starting and closing hours are to facilitate family attendance. While drop-off and pick-up may take place at the main gates to South Banks House, please park in the free Portencross Car Park, about 100 yards down Portencross Road. We look forward to seeing you here (please bring good weather with you!).

May Bank Holiday openings

In addition to the current weekend openings, the castle will be open on Monday 4th May and Monday 25th May from 11am - 4pm, with last admissions at 3.45pm. A lovely way for both adults and children of all ages to spend the bank holiday weekends!

September Additional Opening

Portencross Castle will be open to visitors from 11am until 3.45pm on Monday, September 22nd 2014.

Craft in the Garden!

The fourth annual Craft in the Garden fundraiser weekend makes its appearance between the hours off 11am and 5pm on Saturday, August 9th and Sunday, August 10th, 2014 under marquee and gazebo cover at South Banks House garden in Portencross. This will be the venue for local artists displaying and demonstrating woodcarving, woodturning, sculpting, glass art, metal working, ceramics, basket weaving and felt and woolcraft.

Teas and plenty of homebaking will be available in a lovely, tranquil garden setting. There is plenty of free parking at the Portencross Car Park (a few steps from our gate). Drop off and pick up only at the South Banks House gate, please.

Entry charge? £1...that's correct...just £1 !!!

 

Guided Walk

On Wednesday, 23rd July, Eglinton Park ranger Roger Griffith will lead a walk in the area of the castle. Meet at Portencross car park at 2pm, to finish at the castle at 3.30pm. This event will be free, based on a mixture of natural and local history. The castle will stay open a little later than usual to allow time to visit at the end of the walk.

Afternoon Closure

Please note that the castle will be closed to visitors on the afternoon of Saturday, 21st June, due to a wedding taking place

Ceilidh Fundraiser

The annual music evening fundraiser for Portencross Castle will be held at South Banks House in Portencross on Saturday, June 21st 2014, starting at 6.30pm and finishing at 10.30pm. Music for your listening and dancing pleasure will be provided by the widely popular ceilidh band "The MacFadyen Sisters". Tickets at £10 per adult and £5 per child will also include a hot and cold buffet (under marquee and gazebo cover). A pay bar will be available. Children must be accompanied by a responsible adult. NO UNDER 7's please (this is an NAC licensing requirement).

Tickets may be reserved by phone - 01294 823949.

Let's hope for good weather!

Art Exhibition 2014

The annual Portencross Castle Art Exhibition will take place in the castle on Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th June between 11am and 4pm both days.

This is always a very successful and enjoyable event. Artisits wishing to exhibit will find all the details on the 'News' page of this website. We are also looking for volunteers to help withthe exhibition, which is very labour intensive. Anyone interested in helping out on either Thursday 26th when the exhibits arrive, or during the exhibition itself should phone 01294 823799.

Tattie Toon Tales!

Come and listen to the Tattie Toon Storyteller, Dave Campbell, in the candlelit Great Hall of Portencross Castle at 7.30pm on Friday 2nd May, 2014. To participate, a suggested donation of £8 includes wine and nibbles. Reservations/tickets are available from Audrey ot 01294 823949. After costs, proceeds will be donated to the Portencross Castle operating and maintenance fund. Castle capacity is limited, so book now.

Beach Clean

On Saturday, April 26th 2014, there will once again be a concerted Beach Clean extending from the Portencross Car Park (at the Ardneil Farm Lane beach access) along the beach to the Waterside Resraurant in Seamill. The event will begin at 1pm and will run until 4pm, allowing sufficient time for the participants to make their way back to either the Portencross Car Park or to the Waterside to partake of refreshments and snacks.

There are 4 points at which the beach clean may be joined and where bags, tabards, etc will be issued: Ardneil Farm Beach Lane, the bottom of Fullerton Drive, the bottom of Sandy Lane and the Waterside. This event has been very successful for the past 3 years, with many local groups taking part, including the Boys Brigade, Girl Guides, Brownies, Rotary, Civic Society, FOPC, WK Initiative, YWAM, and this year (for the first time) West Kilbride Primary School pupils. Please make an effort to come and help this year, as our beach has suffered from an excess of rubbish washed up by the high tides and gales.

Spring 2014 Coffee Morning Fundraiser

A fundraiser coffee morning will be held from 10.30am to 1pm on Saturday, 29th March 2014 at South Banks House, Portencross. A "bottomless" cup of coffee (or tea) can be enjoyed with a selection of home baking. A crackling fire will take the chill off...hopefully, the weather will have started to warm up by then. This, plus meeting up with your friends and neighbours can be enjoyed for a suggested donation of £5 per guest upon entry. All proceeds go towards the Portencross Castle Operations and Maintenance Fund.

The South Banks House driveway is open for drop-off and pick-up. Please park in the nearby Portencross Car Park. If you have special mobility considerations, please call Audrey or Walter ay 01294 823949. We look forward to seeing you!

2014 Opening Hours

The castle will re-open for the year on 5th April, and will then be open daily until, and including 20th April. After that date it will be open every weekend and public holiday until September. During July and August the castle is open daily.

Opening hours are 11am until 4pm, with last admission at 3.45pm.

One exception to the above is Monday 14th April when the castle will close early afternoon for a private function.

September Opening hours

The castle will be open every weekend in September from 11am - 4pm (last admission 3.45), as well as on Monday 23rd September, which is a local holiday. We will also be participating in 'Doors Open Day', on 7th and 8th September, when many local interesting and historical buildings will be open to the public.

We hope to see as many of you as possible before the castle closes for the winter.

Music Evening August 17th

A reminder to all that this coming weekend, Saturday August 17th, we will have a Music Evening at the South Banks House garden. This time, however, it will take the form of a ceilidh, brought to us by the MacFadjen Sisters and will have a family overtone, with accompanied children (over 7 years old) permitted to the event for the first time. In view of this, the event hours have been altered slightly, beginning at 6.30pm and concluding at 10.30pm. A £10 ticket (half price for children) brings you the ceilidh, a buffet, dancing, conviviality and a pay bar.

Tickets may be purchased in advance by callling 01294 823949.

Summer Opening Hours

The castle is open daily throughout August from 11am until 4pm, last admissions at 3.45pm. Admission free but donations very welcome.

The only exception to this is Saturday 17th August, when the castle will be closed to the public in the afternoon due to a wedding taking place.

Make the most of this lovely summer weather with a visit to the castle!

Musical Evening

Saturday, August 17th, 2013 once again brings a Music Evening to Portencross. As usual, the venue will be the South Banks House Garden in Portencross. The time has changed a bit to be able to accommodate families with children (over 7 years of age only, as per NAC rules), so it begins at 6.30pm and concludes at 10.30pm. Music this year will be in the form of a ceilidh provided by the locally well-known MacFadyen sisters.

Tickets may be purchased for £10 per person by calling 01294 823949.

These tickets entitle you to a buffet and great music and dancing. A pay bar will be available. Because of the latter, children between 7 and 17 will be admitted only if accompanied by a responsible adult...please do not ask for exceptions.

Drop-off and pick-up can be at the main gate to South Banks House. In the event of serious mobility, please call Audrey or Walter at 01294 823949 for suitable arrangements. Otherwise, parking at the nearby Portencross Car Park is free.

All profits from this fundraiser will be used for the maintenance and operation of Portencross Castle. It only operates due to your generosity and support.

Craft in the Garden

Craft-in-the-Garden on Saturday, August 10th and Sunday, August 11th, 2013. From 11am until 5pm on each day at South Banks House Garden, Portencross, under marquee and gazebo cover. Exhibition, demonstration and sale of works including: Basket weaving, Ceramics, Driftwood Art, Glass Art, Jewellery, Metalwork, Sculpture, Woodwork and Wool Craft.

Tea, home baking and face painting available. Entry Fee = £1. Free parking at Portencross Car Park.

Continue to support your fundraiser. Net profit will go to Portencross Castle operating and maintenance fund.

Summer Opening hours

The castle will open daily throughout July and August from 11am to 4pm, last admissions 3.45. The exception to this is July 20th when the castle will close to visitors at 1.30 due to a wedding.

Art Show - Information for visitors

The annual Portencross Castle Art Show fundraiser will take place on Saturday 29th and Sunday 30th June. This is located in the castle, which means that normal castle visits will not be available that weekend. This is always a very popular event, with an impressive range of art for sale at a wide range of prices.

The show is open both days from 11.00-4.00, and entry is just £1. Teas and coffees will also be available. The future of the Castle is entirely dependant upon income from donations and Fundraisers such as this one. We do therefore hope to see as many of you as possible over the course of the weekend!

Art Show Fundraiser - Information for artists

The annual Portencross Castle Art Show will take place in the castle over the weekend of 29/30th June, 11am-4pm both days. This has previously been a very successful event.

Anyone wishing to exhibit should bring exhibits to the castle between 3-6pm on Thursday 27th June (if a queue forms you may have to stand outside). There is a limit of two items per exhibitor. Charges are: small exhibits, up to 18x18 inches, £4; medium, up to 27x27 inches, £5; and large, £6. Commission remains at 15%. Items should have title, name of artist, medium, and price clearly marked on the back. There is no catalogue for this exhibition so we will supply and attach labels. Unsold exhibits should be collected on the Sunday between 4-5pm.

This is a very labour intensive event. Any offers of help on either the Thursday afternoon or during the course of the exhibition will be gratefully received.

Anyone having any queries on the above should telephone Ann on 01294 823799, or Audrey on 01294 823949.

Coffee Morning Fundraiser

The first fundraiser coffee morning of 2013 will take place on Saturday 13th April 2013, between the hours of 10.30am and 1pm at South banks House, Portencross. As in the past, a £4 donation upon entry brings you coffee, home baking, conviviality and an open fire to warm up by (although we hope the weather will have eased up a bit). We welcome the use of our driveway for purposes of drop-off and pick-up; however, due to parking area constraints in our driveway, we ask that you park your autos (sleds etc)in the Portencross car park just a few yards from the house. If there is a mobility problem, please contact either Audrey or Walter on 01294 823949 for special arrangements...we will do our best to help. All proceeds will go to the Portencross Castle operations and maintenance fund. We look forward to seeing you.

Castle opens for 2013

Spring really is here! The castle is re-opening on Good Friday, 29th March and will be open every day during the two weeks of the school holidays. Wrap up warm and come and enjoy the fresh air, beautiful views and romance of history!

Fundraiser Coffee Morning

A coffee-morning fundraiser for the Portencross Castle Fund will be held from 10.30am to 1pm on Saturday, 17 November 2012, at South Banks House, Portencross. An excellent opportunity to see your friends and outlying neighbours, catch up on gossip and enjoy home baking! A donation of £4 per guest upon entry is suggested.

The driveway at South Banks House may be used for drop-off and pick-up; however, we request that parking of cars be in the nearby Portencross Car Park. Should there be a mobility problem, please contact either Audrey or Walter on 01294-823949 for special arrangements.

We look forward to your continued support.

Portencross Music Evening

The annual fundraiser Portencross Music Evening will be held on Saturday, August 11th,2012. It's dancing slipper time again! Starting at 7pm and ending at 11pm, we look forward to listening and dancing to the music of "The Banned" (each year they get better and better!), partaking of a delicious buffet, exchanging gossip and enjoying wine and beer at reasonable prices (pay bar), where else can you get all this for £12 per person payable upon entry at the gate? Ah, yes...the Raffle...we're adding some new prizes! The weather?...start soliciting whoever you think might be listening and influential in that area! We look forward to seeing you there!

As usual, we ask that the driveway at South Banks House be restricted to drop-off and pick-up only. A few yards further down the road, the Portencross Car Park offers free parking. If there are mobility problems, please contact Audrey or Walter at: 01294-823949.

Art in the Garden

Art in the Garden will be held on Saturday, 4th August and Sunday, 5th August, 2012, under marquee and gazebo cover in the South Banks House garden at Portencross...open from 11am until 5pm on both days. The exhibition and sale of work includes Ceramics, Metalwork, Woodwork, Glass Art, Painting and Sculpture. Entry fee is £1.00.

This Portencross Castle fundraiser was introduced last year and proved to be highly successful and popular. We were also very fortunate to have lovely weather during the course of the event...we hope for a repetition of both.

Tea and home baking are available in this relaxed and attractive environment. While you are welcome to drop off and pick up passengers at the South Banks House entry gate, we request that you use Portencross Car Park offering free parking about 30 yards further along the road. If there are serious mobility problems, please call either Audrey or Walter at 01294-823949.

 

Scarecrow Festival:Last week of July and first week of August 2012

Portencross Castle will participate in the West Kilbride Scarecrow Festival with scarecrows depicting the tale of Rapunzel. She (of the very long hair), the wicked witch (looking good in black) and the heroic (albeit wild-haired) knight will make their appearance at the Castle. Watch for it!

Castle private hire events

The castle will be the setting of two weddings shortly - 13th and 27th July 2012. The castle will be closed to visitors from 1.00pm on both occasions.

Art Exhibition Prize Draw

A raffle will be held at the Annual Art Hugh Allan PaintingShow for this large watercolour of the castle by Hugh Allan, dated 1891. The painting will be on display at the Art Show, weather permitting. Tickets are available at the event and can also be bought from castle guides during opening hours between now and the end of June. There are only 600 tickets and the draw will take place at the end of the Art Show, or by the end of July in the unlikely event that all the tickets have not been sold. Good luck everyone!

Annual Art Exhibition

The Annual art show will take place on Saturday 30th June and Sunday 1st July, 11am-4pm, in Portencross Castle.

Any artist wishing to exhibit should bring items to the castle on Thursday 28th June between 3-6pm. Please be aware that you may have to queue outside. There is a limit of two exhibits per person.

As before there will be a hanging charge according to size. The charges will be: small, up to 18 x 18 inches, £4; medium, up to 27 x 27 inches,£5; large, £6. Commission remains at 15%. Items should have title, name of artist, medium, and price clearly marked somewhere on the back. There is no catalogue for this exhibition so we will supply and attach labels. Exhibits will be removed as they are sold. Unsold exhibits should be collected on the Sunday between 4-5pm.

This is generally a very good selling show. If you have any queries or problems with the above please contact either Ann (01294 823799) or Audrey (01294 823949). It is a very labour intensive event and any offers of help are gratefully received, especially on Thursday afternoon and Friday when the exhibits will be hung.

FOPC now relies entirely on the income from donations and fund raising events such as this. We would therefore hope that as many people as possible support the exhibition.

 

Saturday 21 April 2012 - Beach Clean-up

In support of the "Keep Scotland Beautiful Campaign" (the operating name of Environment Campaigns - Scotland) the Friends of Portencross Castle (FOPC) are once again collaborating with the: West Kilbride Civic Society; Hunterston Rotary; West Kilbride Boys Brigade; West Kilbride Girl Guides; North Ayrshire Council (NAC); and Youth With a Mission in a concerted clean-up of the beach extending betweeen the south end of the Seamill Hydro and Portencross.

The clean-up will take place between the hours of 1pm and 4pm on Saturday 21st April 2012. There will be four meeting places to access the beach:

The beach entrance opposite Ardneil Farm,Portencross

The beach end of Fullerton Drive, Seamill

The car park at the beach end of Hyndman Road, Seamill

The beach end of Sandy Lane, adjacent to the Seamill Hydro

There will be a clean-up team control point at each of the four above mentioned access points, where there will be an issue of trash bags, gloves, tabards and grabbers (provided by "Keep Scotland Beautiful" and by the NAC).

At the end of the effort, participants are invited to the Portencross Car Park for free tea/coffee/soft drinks (courtesy of FOPC and the Civic Society), soup (courtesy of Audrey, Laura and Karen) and shortbread (courtesy of Gregg's the Baker).

If you have pride in our coastline and beach, spend the afternoon with us and Keep Scotland Tidy! Let's repeat previous years' success.

For further information, please contact the Beach Clean Coordinator, Audrey, at 01294-823949.

 

Easter opening update

We are delighted to announce that all the work at the castle has now been completed and we will be open on 2nd April for the start of the 2012 season as detailed below.

Easter Opening

It is anticipated that the castle will be open to the public from Monday 2nd April to Sunday 15th April from 11am - 4pm daily (last admission 3.45).

Some essential work is still being carried out, delayed due to the very wet winter, and it may be that there will be a brief postponement. The website will be updated should this occur or you may telephone 01294 823799.

Entry is free but please be aware that the Friends of Portencross Castle are entirely dependant on donations and fund raising for both maintenance and opening. Please therefore donate as generously as possible.

Coffee Morning Fundraiser

The final Portencross Castle fundraiser coffee morning for 2011 will take place on Saturday, December 3rd at South Banks House, Portencross between the hours of 10.30am and 1pm. A £4 donation at the door will entitle you to partake in a "bottomless" cup of coffee (or tea) and home baking while you enjoy an open fire, meet up with friends and neighbours to exchange tid-bits of "gossip" and take the opportunity to purchase the odd last-minute Christmas gift. This will also be the debut of the 2012 Portencross Castle Calendar...which, this year, is the product of the collective endeavours of the children of Primary 6 at West Kilbride Primary School.

Again, we invite drop-off and pick-up at the South Banks House driveway, but we ask that cars be parked at the nearby Portencross Car Park. If there is a mobility problem, please call Audrey or Walter at 01294 823949 for special arrangements.

All profits from this fundraiser go to the Portencross Castle operational and maintenance fund, which is administered by the Friends of Portencross Castle (FOPC).

We look forward to seeing you and thank you in advance for your continued support.

Portencross Castle Christmas Cards

Xmas card 2011

This extremely beautiful photograph of the castle in the snow is the FOPC Christmas card for 2011. The cards will be on sale at the Charities Christmas Card Sale in the Village hall on Saturday 29th October. They will be sold for 60p each or £5 for a pack of ten. All profits to go towards the restoration and maintenance of the castle. Also on sale will be a small number of cards of the view of Portencross taken by George Houston, these will be priced at £3 for ten.

Anyone who is interested in buying cards but cannot make the Charities sale should contact Ann on 01294 823799.

 

Children's Art Exhibition

There will be a two day exhibition on Saturday and Sunday, October 29th and 30th, 2011, between the hours of 12 noon and 4pm on both days. The display will consist of paintings and drawings by the pupils of Primary 6, West Kilbride Primary School.

Held at South Banks House, Portencross, this exhibition brings to a culmination the input phase of a class project to create the Portencross Castle Calendar for 2012. Supported by Friends of Portencross Castle, the pupils of Primary 6 (under the guidance of their teacher, Miss Gemma Hanton)have enthusiastically undertaken the responsibility of creating the 2012 calendar, taking it from the conceptual stage through to its final publication. Their art work, which will appear in the calendar, is the focal point of this exhibition. Admission is free! Drop-off and pick-up only in the South Banks House driveway. Please park in the nearby Portencross Car Park. If there are mobility problems, please call Audrey or Walter at 01294 823949.

Although it was originally intended to display the children's art work in Portencross Castle, the vagaries of repair work being conducted there beginning in October has necessitated a change of venue.

The 2012 Portencross Castle Calendar will be introduced for sale at the Autumn/Winter Fundraiser Coffee Morning in November. There will be a limited number of calendars printed, so if you wish to pre-order, please call Audrey or Walter on the phone number given above.

 

Talk at Portencross Castle, Sunday 25th September

Friends of Portencross Castle are hosting a talk by Dr David Caldwell, Interim Keeper of Archaeology, National Museums Scotland on the Furnishings of Scottish Castles on Sunday 25th September at 4.30pm in the castle.

Dr Caldwell said,"Evidence from documents and surviving furniture and furnishings perhaps gives a rather different impression about life in castles than many expect. Tower-houses like Portencross were homes and we can learn a lot about what life was like in them".

The talk is part of Scottish Archaeology month, SAM lecture series, which pairs top experts from National Museums Scotland to give talks to archaeology and local history societies all over the country. There is a question and answer session at the end which will offer a fantastic opportunity to ask one of the country's top archaeologists your questions!

The evening is free and open to the public but those wishing to attend are asked to notify The Friends of Portencross Castle ahead of time and donations to the Group would be welcome.

For further enquiries and to book contact Ann McLachlan, FOPC on: port_n_x@hotmail.com or telephone 01294 823799

Temporary Change to Opening Hours

Due to the hire of the castle for a private event on Saturday, 24th September 2011, Portencross Castle will be open to the public between the hours of 11am until 2pm ONLY ON THAT DATE

Opening times September

The castle will be open daily from 11-4pm until the 31st August.

During September the castle will be open on Saturdays and Sundays, and also on Monday 26th September (local holiday weekend). Opening hours are again 11-4pm, with last admissions at 3.45pm.

Open Doors 3-4th September

Portencross castle will be one of the venues open on the 3rd and 4th September under the 'Open Doors' scheme. This scheme is designed to encourage people to explore their local heritage, including many buildings not normally open to the general public.

During this weekend the castle will be operating guided tours only, making it a great chance to learn the history of this important building. Entry is free, although any contributions to the upkeep of the castle are always welcome.

BRAND NEW!.."ART IN THE GARDEN"

Between 11am and 5pm on Saturday and Sunday, August 20th and 21st, 2011, under marquee and gazebo cover, the South Banks House garden at Portencross will be the venue for local artists displaying: woodcarvings, sculptures, metalwork, glasswork and ceramics. See the Raku-firing demonstration by ceramicists.

Teas and plenty of homebaking will be available in a lovely, tranquil garden setting. Plenty of free parking at the Portencross Car Park...just a few steps beyond our gate.

Entry charge is £1. That's correct...just£1 !!! Proceeds will go to the Portencross Castle operating and maintenance fund.

 

Music Evening July 23rd

What has become an annual summer event is once again upon us! On Saturday July 23rd 2011 there will be a Music Evening Fundraiser at South Banks House, Portencross. Between the hours of 7.30pm and 11pm enjoy the music of the 70's, 80's and the 90's brought to you by our popular local group, "The Banned". Bring those dancing slippers!

A £12 ticket, purchasable upon entry, will entitle you to an evening of great music, a delicious hot and cold buffet...and the pleasure of scintillating company (the last item YOU have to make successful). In the past, we have enjoyed goodweather for this event. This year, with its unpredictability thus far, the marquee and gazebos will be up in the eventuality of "drizzles". A pay bar (very reasonable prices) will be available...and a great raffle and tombola.

As in past years, we welcome drop-off and pick-up at the entry gates, but ask that cars be parked at the nearby (free) Portencross Car Park. In the event of mobility problems, please call us on 1294 823949.

Also, as in past years, "under-18's" will not be admitted. This is a North Ayrshire Council licensing requirement.

All proceeds go to the Portencross Castle operating and maintenance fund.

We look forward to seeing you, whatever the weather, for a great evening! Thank you, in advance, for your continued support.

Summer Opening

The castle will be open every day from 1st July until the end of August. Opening times are 11am-4pm.

 

Saturday 4th June

Advance notice that the castle will be closed to the general public from 2pm on Saturday 4th June as it has been hired for a private event. The event in question is a champagne wedding reception, and we would like to wish the Bride and Groom a wonderful day - we are all keeping our fingers crossed for good weather!!

During the Annual Art Exhibition, 25-26th June, normal free entry to the castle will not apply. Instead there will be an admission charge of £1 to the art show. We hope as many people as possible will join us for this enjoyable annual fundraiser.

ANNUAL ART EXHIBITION

The annual Art Exhibition, an important fundraiser for FOPC, will be held in the castle on 25th and 26th June.

Advance notice to artisits - exhibits will be received at Farland (next to the car park) between 3 and 6 on Thurs 23rd June. This year there will be a limit of two exhibits per person. Hanging charge will be £4 for small, £5 for medium. Due to the difficult access to the Great Hall, larger paintings, whilst welcome, may be hung away from the main exhibition, and at the organisers discretion.

Saturday 30 April, BEACH CLEAN UP

In support of the 'Keep Scotland Beautiful' campaign, the FOPC are once again collaborating with the West Kilbride Civic Society, Hunterston Rotary, West Kilbride Boys Brigade, West Kilbride Girl Guides, NAC and Youth with a Mission in a concerted clean up of the beach extending between the south end of the Seamill Hydro and Portencross.

We welcome this year's participation by the West Kilbride Initiative Group and the Magnox 'A' Environmental Group.

The clean up will take place between 1pm and 4pm on Saturday 30 April. There will be four meeting places to access the beach:

1. The beach entrance opposite Ardneil Farm, Portencross, 2. The beach end of Fullerton Drive, Seamill, 3. The car park at the beach end of Hyman Road, Seamill, 4. The beach end of Sandy Lane, adjacent to the Seamill Hydro.

There will be a clean up team control point at each of the above access points, where there will be an issue of trash bags, gloves, tabards and grabbers (provided by 'Keep Scotland Beautiful' and the NAC.

At the end of the effort participants are invited to the Portencross Car park for free tea/coffee/soft drinks (courtesy of FOPC and the Civic Society), soup (courtesy of Audrey, Laura and Karen) and shortbread (courtesy of Gregg's the baker).

If you have pride in our coastline and beach spend the afternoon with us and Keep Scotland Tidy! Let's repeat last years success.

For further information please contact the Clean Up Coordinator, Audrey, on 01294 823949.

APRIL AND EASTER OPENING TIMES

The castle will be open daily from 4th - 17th April from 11am until 4pm. It will be open at the same times over the Easter weekend. Admission is free but any donations will be gratefully received.

Saturday 5th March

The first Portencross Castle coffee-morning fundraiser of 2011 will be held from 10.30am to 1pm on Saturday, 5th March at South Banks House, Portencross. Come out of the winter slumber, catch up on gossip and enjoy coffee and homebaking by an open fire (we predict that the weather will still be chilly, although the daffodils are making every effort to make an appearance!). A donation of £4 per guest upon entry is suggested. All proceeds go to the Portencross Castle fund (administered by the Friends of Portencross Castle - FOPC). These fundraisers and donations are the sole source of revenue for the maintenance and operation of the castle.

As in the past, the driveway will be open for drop-off and pick-up, but parking should be at nearby Portencross car park. If there are special mobility requirements please call Audrey or Walter on 01294 823949. We look forward to seeing you!

Saturday 4th December

The last coffee morning fundraiser of 2010 will be held from 10.30am to 1pm on Saturday, 4th December at South Banks House, Portencross.

This is an excellent opportunity to see your friends and neighbours before they go into hibernation, catch up on gossip, warm yourself by an open fire, enjoy home baking and purchase gifts. This will also be the first avaiability of the 2011 Portencross Castle Calendar.

The driveway will be open for drop off/pick up but, due to lack of space, we ask that you please park in the nearby Portencross car park. If there are special mobility needs, please call Walter or Audrey on 01294 823949.

A donation of £4 per guest upon entry is suggested and all proceeds will go to the Portencross Castle fund. We look forward to seeing you and thank you for your continued support.