Site Report

WoSASPIN 5176

(NS 1754 4891) Portencross Castle (NR) (remains of)
OS 6" map (1969)

Portincross Castle appears to have been built in the 14th century, with later modifications. It has been ruinous since it was unroofed in 1739, but its massive walls are still entire. It consists of an oblong keep, three storeys and a garret high, with a wing, one storey higher, placed at one end. The whole of the ground floor is vaulted and there are entrances on the ground and first floors.
Macgibbon and Ross state that there has been a wall with a gateway between the castle and the edge of the rock on which it stands.
This was the fortalice of the barony of Ardneil, which belonged to the Rosses, and was given by Bruce to Sir Robert Boyd of Kilmarnock. Several royal charters are signed from here, possibly used as a crossing-point to Bute.
D MacGibbon and T Ross 1889; N Tranter 1965

Portencross Castle is as described, the exterior being in good condition. No trace was found of a wall between the castle and edge of the rock.
Visited by OS (DS) 12 September 1956

Previous field report confirmed.
Visited by OS (EGC) 30 October 1964

No change.
Visited by OS (JRL) 18 November 1982

The SW wall of this tower house, when viewed in oblique sunlight, shows the trace of a wraggle which corresponds to the right hand slope of the gable of a later, unrecorded building, probably wooden. The wraggle rises to a visible height of 6.1m above ground level. The corresponding left hand slope is not visible, having been obliterated by weathering. The gable covered a window which opened on to a wheel stair.
E M Patterson 1988.

In 2002/3 this site was examined as part of the Coastal Zone Assesment Survey of the Firth of Clyde (GUARD/CRG for HS,Firth of Clyde Forum and the SCAPE Trust). The site was visited on 06/01/2003 its location was/is '<50m from the coast' The sites condition was noted as 'Fair' and the erosion class of the coast at this point is noted as 'Eroding' (HS defined erosion classes) Further action reccomended by GUARD/CRG for this site is 'Survey' .

A11.The Tower House consists of a large roofed building, the walls of which are still in relatively good condition. It is constructed of rough stone. The corner blocks are of white sandstone, differing from the rest of the castle material. No change from previous reports.
Sneddon, D., 'Coastal Zone Assessment Survey: Firth of Clyde', GUARD, 2003
Entered WoSAS (MO'H) 11/04/08