Key info
About
Portencross Castle is located on the west coast of Scotland near
West Kilbride. The castle sits on a rock outcrop
overlooking the Firth of Clyde. Prior to the succession
of Robert the Bruce, this castle belonged to the Ross Family
(Sheriffs of Ayr), but after the fall of that family, and of the
Balliol cuase, ownership was conferred on an ancestor the the Boyds
of Kilmarnock. About the time of Robert II, the castle
became part of the inheritance of the third son of Sir Thomas Boyd
of Kilmarnock, Robert Boyd of Portencross, with whose
decendants it remained until 1737. Robert II and Robert
III must have been frequent visitors to Portencross as they
travelled between the castles of Dundonald and Rothesay, both
Stewart strongholds.
The castle is a scheduled ancient monument which had fallen into
a serious state of disrepair. Following a protracted
fundraising effort, the client organisation secured sufficient
funding to secure the future of this important historical
building. Stone Engineering were selected for their
extensive knowledge of conservation and restoration of our built
heritage and works commenced in Febuary 2009.
The works comprised extensive consolidation and repair involving
major masonry works including takedown and rebuilding of
16th century masonry, complex scaffolding over the
sea-facing elevations, internal spiral stairs, glass balustrade,
oak joinerwork with associated electrical works and
landscaping.
An apprentice working towards C&G in Stonemasonry was
appointed to the project and received valuable training from our
skilled stonemasons.