Portencross Castle facts for kids
Portencross Castle is a very old castle located in Portencross, on the west coast of Scotland. It's about 3 kilometers from West Kilbride. People think this spot has been used for defense since the 11th century. The castle you see today is a "tower castle" and was built around the mid-1300s. It was used for many years until a big storm in 1739 blew off its roof. After that, it slowly became a ruin. Today, it is a protected historical site.
The castle was even shown on a BBC TV show called Restoration in 2004. A local group worked hard to save it and make sure it would last for the future.
The Castle's Story
When the castle was first built, it was known as "Arneil." The de Ross family owned it back then. After a big victory against the English at the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314, King Robert the Bruce gave the land to Sir Robert Boyd of Kilmarnock. This happened just one year after the battle.
The castle you see now was rebuilt by Robert Boyd's grandson, who was also named Robert Boyd. It was built in the mid-to-late 1300s. It sits on a rocky point overlooking the Firth of Clyde. This new castle replaced an older, smaller one on a nearby hill called Auld Hill. Portencross Castle became the main building for the area known as the Barony of Ardneil. King Robert II likely signed many important documents here between 1371 and 1390.
What the Castle Looks Like
Portencross Castle probably started as a simple stone "hall house." This means it was a main building with a large hall inside. It might have also had a "barmkin," which is a protective wall around the building. Later, in the late 1400s, more floors and an attic were added. A new entrance was also made on the ground floor around this time.
The Boyd family owned the castle until 1737. They made more changes, like adding rooms in the upper attic and making the "spiral staircase" (a winding staircase) reach these new rooms. Even after the roof was blown off in 1739, local fishermen still used parts of the castle. They might have made some small changes too.
The castle has a long, rectangular main part called a "keep." It has three main floors and a small attic area called a "garret." One part of the castle, called the wing, is even taller. The entire ground floor has a "vaulted" ceiling, which means it's made of arched stone. You can enter the castle on the ground floor or on the first floor.
In recent years, a group called the "Friends of Portencross Castle" worked to restore it. Now, it is maintained by them and serves as a museum.
