Bankend Wood
Wood, Forest in Ayrshire
Scotland
Bankend Wood
Bankend Wood is a picturesque forest located in Ayrshire, Scotland. Spanning approximately 50 hectares, it is a popular destination for nature enthusiasts and outdoor lovers. The wood is situated near the small village of Dalmellington, offering visitors a tranquil and peaceful experience.
Bankend Wood is predominantly composed of native broadleaf species, including oak, birch, and hazel trees. These trees create a dense canopy that provides shade and shelter for a variety of flora and fauna. The forest floor is covered with a rich carpet of mosses, ferns, and wildflowers, adding to the wood's natural beauty.
The wood is crisscrossed with a network of well-maintained paths and trails, allowing visitors to explore its diverse ecosystem. Hiking and walking enthusiasts can choose from a range of routes, catering to different fitness levels and interests. Along the trails, visitors may encounter a wide range of wildlife, including red squirrels, roe deer, and various bird species.
Bankend Wood also offers a picnic area, allowing visitors to relax and enjoy a meal amidst the serene surroundings. The wood is open to the public year-round, although it is particularly enchanting during the spring and summer months when the trees are in full bloom.
Overall, Bankend Wood in Ayrshire is a charming and idyllic forest, offering visitors the opportunity to connect with nature and experience the beauty of the Scottish countryside.
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Bankend Wood Images
Images are sourced within 2km of 55.715078/-4.9003872 or Grid Reference NS1750. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.
Portencross Castle
Portencross Castle is a scheduled monument of national importance. It has been here since the mid 1300s.
Robert the Bruce gave the surrounding lands of Arnele to the Boyd family for supporting him in the War of Independence. The Boyds built the castle on its present site. They enlarged it later in the 1300s and into the 1400s to its present L-shape. The original great hall and cellar are still intact.
The Boyds chose to put the castle on this spot to defend the sea routes and access to the islands of the Firth of Clyde and beyond. Portencross Castle is important because King Robert II (reign: 1371-1390) used it during the period when the Stewart dynasty was being established. The old harbour was once an important ferry port for access to Rothesay Castle and to the royal deer forest on Little Cumbrae (known locally as Wee Cumbrae).
The Friends of Portencross Castle (FOPC) undertook the conservation work on the castle to make the building safe to visit and hold local events. FOPC has been supported extremely well through grants and financial assistance from many organisations and individuals and through the work of volunteers.
FOPC raised just over £1million to take forward the conservation work on the castle. The main grant assistance came from Historic Scotland and Heritage Lottery Fund. The work finally began in 2009.
The History of Portencross Castle, Link
Portencross Castle
Portencross Castle is a scheduled monument of national importance. It has been here since the mid 1300s.
Robert the Bruce gave the surrounding lands of Arnele to the Boyd family for supporting him in the War of Independence. The Boyds built the castle on its present site. They enlarged it later in the 1300s and into the 1400s to its present L-shape. The original great hall and cellar are still intact.
The Boyds chose to put the castle on this spot to defend the sea routes and access to the islands of the Firth of Clyde and beyond. Portencross Castle is important because King Robert II (reign: 1371-1390) used it during the period when the Stewart dynasty was being established. The old harbour was once an important ferry port for access to Rothesay Castle and to the royal deer forest on Little Cumbrae (known locally as Wee Cumbrae).
The Friends of Portencross Castle (FOPC) undertook the conservation work on the castle to make the building safe to visit and hold local events. FOPC has been supported extremely well through grants and financial assistance from many organisations and individuals and through the work of volunteers.
FOPC raised just over £1million to take forward the conservation work on the castle. The main grant assistance came from Historic Scotland and Heritage Lottery Fund. The work finally began in 2009.
The History of Portencross Castle Link
View from Portencross Castle
The masonry on the right of the photo is part of the castle, a scheduled ancient monument built in phases from the fourteenth century (although it is on the site of earlier fortifications) and restored and maintained by the Friends of Portencross Castle
Mown grass in field north of Portencross
Flat farmland by the Firth of Clyde below Waterside Hill.
Portencross Castle from Millport
Looking across about 6km (3¾ miles) of water between Millport on Great Cumbrae to the castle at Portencross on the mainland. This stretch of water is known as the Fairlie Roads.
The castle dating probably from the C14th is a Designated Scheduled Monument - read more about it on the Canmore website here: Link
Looking down on Thirdpart Holdings
I believe this row of small-holdings was originally established after WW1 for returning servicemen - unless anyone knows better?
Portencross Castle
Portencross Castle is a scheduled monument of national importance. It has been here since the mid 1300s.
Robert the Bruce gave the surrounding lands of Arnele to the Boyd family for supporting him in the War of Independence. The Boyds built the castle on its present site. They enlarged it later in the 1300s and into the 1400s to its present L-shape. The original great hall and cellar are still intact.
The Boyds chose to put the castle on this spot to defend the sea routes and access to the islands of the Firth of Clyde and beyond. Portencross Castle is important because King Robert II (reign: 1371-1390) used it during the period when the Stewart dynasty was being established. The old harbour was once an important ferry port for access to Rothesay Castle and to the royal deer forest on Little Cumbrae (known locally as Wee Cumbrae).
The Friends of Portencross Castle (FOPC) undertook the conservation work on the castle to make the building safe to visit and hold local events. FOPC has been supported extremely well through grants and financial assistance from many organisations and individuals and through the work of volunteers.
FOPC raised just over £1million to take forward the conservation work on the castle. The main grant assistance came from Historic Scotland and Heritage Lottery Fund. The work finally began in 2009.
The History of Portencross Castle, Link.
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Portencross Castle
Portencross Castle is a scheduled monument of national importance. It has been here since the mid 1300s.
Robert the Bruce gave the surrounding lands of Arnele to the Boyd family for supporting him in the War of Independence. The Boyds built the castle on its present site. They enlarged it later in the 1300s and into the 1400s to its present L-shape. The original great hall and cellar are still intact.
The Boyds chose to put the castle on this spot to defend the sea routes and access to the islands of the Firth of Clyde and beyond. Portencross Castle is important because King Robert II (reign: 1371-1390) used it during the period when the Stewart dynasty was being established. The old harbour was once an important ferry port for access to Rothesay Castle and to the royal deer forest on Little Cumbrae (known locally as Wee Cumbrae).
The Friends of Portencross Castle (FOPC) undertook the conservation work on the castle to make the building safe to visit and hold local events. FOPC has been supported extremely well through grants and financial assistance from many organisations and individuals and through the work of volunteers.
FOPC raised just over £1million to take forward the conservation work on the castle. The main grant assistance came from Historic Scotland and Heritage Lottery Fund. The work finally began in 2009.
The History of Portencross Castle Link
The Portencross Murder - Northbank Cottage
Northbank Cottage was the scene of the murder of Miss Mary Speir Gunn, on the evening of 18th October 1913.
Murder of Mary Speir Gunn Link
Northbank Cottage
Located on the raised beach at the foot of the old sea cliffs.
The North Harbour, Portencross
In the 1800s, around 30 fishing boats worked from Portencross. The pier was built in the early 20th century to accommodate Clyde steamers but its exposed location was always problematic.
Portencross Castle
See NS1748 : Portencross Castle for information. The water on the right-hand side was the Old Harbour.
Modern cottages at Portencross
The two houses on the left are called Sannox and Corrie, both named after places on the Island of Arran.
Portencross Castle
Portencross Castle is a scheduled monument of national importance. It has been here since the mid 1300s.
Robert the Bruce gave the surrounding lands of Arnele to the Boyd family for supporting him in the War of Independence. The Boyds built the castle on its present site. They enlarged it later in the 1300s and into the 1400s to its present L-shape. The original great hall and cellar are still intact.
The Boyds chose to put the castle on this spot to defend the sea routes and access to the islands of the Firth of Clyde and beyond. Portencross Castle is important because King Robert II (reign: 1371-1390) used it during the period when the Stewart dynasty was being established. The old harbour was once an important ferry port for access to Rothesay Castle and to the royal deer forest on Little Cumbrae (known locally as Wee Cumbrae).
The Friends of Portencross Castle (FOPC) undertook the conservation work on the castle to make the building safe to visit and hold local events. FOPC has been supported extremely well through grants and financial assistance from many organisations and individuals and through the work of volunteers.
FOPC raised just over £1million to take forward the conservation work on the castle. The main grant assistance came from Historic Scotland and Heritage Lottery Fund. The work finally began in 2009.
The History of Portencross Castle Link
Portencross Castle
Robert the Bruce gave the surrounding lands of Arnele to the Boyd family for supporting him in the War of Independence. The Boyds built the castle on its present site. They enlarged it later in the 1300s and into the 1400s to its present L-shape. The original great hall and cellar are still intact.
The Boyds chose to put the castle on this spot to defend the sea routes and access to the islands of the Firth of Clyde and beyond. Portencross Castle is important because King Robert II (reign: 1371-1390) used it during the period when the Stewart dynasty was being established. The old harbour was once an important ferry port for access to Rothesay Castle and to the royal deer forest on Little Cumbrae (known locally as Wee Cumbrae).
The Friends of Portencross Castle (FOPC) undertook the conservation work on the castle to make the building safe to visit and hold local events. FOPC has been supported extremely well through grants and financial assistance from many organisations and individuals and through the work of volunteers.
FOPC raised just over £1million to take forward the conservation work on the castle. The main grant assistance came from Historic Scotland and Heritage Lottery Fund. The work finally began in 2009.
Coastline north of Portencross
Looking north up the Ayrshire coast from Portencross, with Great Cumbrae in the distance.
Bankend Wood is located at Grid Ref: NS1750 (Lat: 55.715078, Lng: -4.9003872)
Unitary Authority: North Ayrshire
Police Authority: Ayrshire
What 3 Words
///sued.seagulls.bandaged. Near West Kilbride, North Ayrshire
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