How to find us...
SatNav: KA23 9QA
Lat: 53.800651 Long: -4.064941
OS Grid Ref: NS 17538 48921 Portencross Castle Map
Opening hours
11am to 4pm (last entry 3.45pm)
Weekends to end September 2011
Every day July and August
Welcome to Portencross Castle
Portencross Castle is situated overlooking the Firth of Clyde near West Kilbride in Ayrshire. It is a scheduled ancient monument, a recognition of its national importance.
Portencross has been inhabited for thousands of years. An archaeological dig found evidence of an Iron Age settlement on Auldhill, just behind Portencross Castle. The Iron Age lasted from around 800 BC to 100 BC.
Portencross Castle was constructed in three phases starting around 1360. It was the home of a branch of the Boyds.
Portencross Castle underwent major building conservation works during 2009 and 2010 all thanks to the fund-raising efforts of the local community of Portencross and through generous donations from various organisations and the public.
Read about how it all happened.
The lands around Portencross were given to the Boyds of Kilmarnock by King Robert I as a reward for their help at the Battle of Bannockburn. A number of Royal Charters were signed at the castle and it had close links with King Robert II during that period.
After the 1600s, it was occupied by local fishermen. The roof was destroyed in a gale in
January 1739. By the 20th century, the Adams of Auchenames owned the castle. It became a scheduled ancient monument in 1955.
Castle opening times
Portencross Castle is now open to the public for the summer season.
Opening hours are always 11am to 4pm (last entry 3.45pm). The castle will be open on the following dates unless a pre-arranged function is taking place (please check the Forthcoming Events page):
Nicola Benedetti cuts the ribbon to open Portencross Castle to the public for the first time in 650 years. See the News and Events section.
Easter weekend 22 - 25 April
Every Saturday and Sunday until the end of September.
Mondays 2 and 30 May, and 26 September.
Every day during July and August.
You can hire the castle for an event or for a group tour. We can also arrange tours outwith the normal opening times. Click this link to get in touch with us.
About this website
This website has been set up by the Friends of Portencross Castle. Our aim is to build up a collection of words, images and other media to form an informative and educational online resource containing the history of Portencross Castle, both past and present.
You can help us to build this resource. We are looking for anything in connection with Portencross Castle. Perhaps you have a photograph or a poem, maybe and old postcard or a clip of film. If so, we'd love to see it! Click this link to get in touch with us.
Sounds and pictures
You can see some pictures of Portencross Castle and surrounding area by clicking here. You can also watch an excerpt from the Restoration programme.
The area has inspired photographers and artists over the years. John Mason of the Scottish Fiddle Orchestra composed The Flower of Portencross. You can hear it played on guitar by 'Kev'.
You can also view poems and pictures by children and parents at West Kilbride Primary School.