18
Ayrshire 2021/22
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PORTENCROSS
CASTLE
West Kilbride, North Ayrshire, KA23 9QA
Tel: 01294 823799
A
scheduled
ancient
monument,
Portencross
Castle holds a special
place in the hearts of
local residents. The iconic
structure, overlooking the
Firth of Clyde, has been
inhabited for thousands of
years, with remains dating
back to the Iron Age. The
castle itself was constructed
in the 14th century, and for
the next 300 years it was to
witness all manner of wild
nights, peaking in January
1739 when a fierce gale took
the roof off. Open from April
through autumn, Portencross
has undergone substantial
conservation work in recent
years. During the restoration,
the entrance to a prison pit
was discovered under the
castle’s spiral staircase.
During the summer months,
the castle regularly hosts art
exhibitions, coffee mornings
and other such events. As
you stand on the battlements
and gaze across the water,
you’ll be struck not only by the
serenity, but by the symbiotic
relationship Scotland enjoys
with the sea. Fishermen
have plied their trade here for
thousands of years and today
the bay is still teeming with
marine life. Visit Portencross
for the history. Stay for the
scenery.
