Portencross Castle, Ayrshire, Scotland overlooking the Firth of Clyde and the Island of Arran in the distance
Portencross Castle, also known historically as Portincross Castle, is situated in Portencross, on the west coast of Scotland, about 3km from West Kilbride. The site has been fortified since the 13th Century. The present building is thought to date from the 14th Century and the castle's earliest days, it was known as "Arneil" (alternatively spelled "Arnele" or "Ardneil"). Portencross is believed by some to have been a royal residence, as it is known that several charters of the first two Stuart kings were signed at the castle. The castle was rebuilt in the 14th century on a rock promontory at the bottom of Auld Hill, overlooking the Firth of Clyde. From this location, Robert II signed several more Royal Charters, and the castle remained occupied until the roof was blown off during a violent storm in 1739. The castle walls still remain in place today, and the building has recently been opened to the public, with visitors able to access a ground floor room, the main hall, and the roof
Size: 5247px × 3498px
Location: Portencross, near West Kilbride, Ayrshire, Scotland
Photo credit: © Findlay / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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