Historic Portencross Castle receives £1,000 boost from local homebuilder

Persimmon Homes West Scotland supports volunteer-led charity preserving Ayrshire landmark

The Friends of Portencross Castle have received a £1,000 donation from Persimmon Homes West Scotland to support the ongoing conservation and maintenance of the historic coastal fortress.

Jack Sloss, Contracts Manager at Persimmon West Scotland, visited the castle this week to present the cheque to members of the charity, whose volunteers care for, preserve, and operate the much-loved attraction overlooking the Firth of Clyde.

Portencross Castle, near West Kilbride and close to Persimmon’s Snowdon Gait development, is a scheduled ancient monument recognised for its national historic importance. The castle has been in the care of the Friends of Portencross Castle since 2005, with conservation work ongoing to maintain the site for visitors. During restoration, a rare pit prison, or bottle dungeon, was uncovered beneath the spiral staircase. The charity relies heavily on volunteer support, visitor donations, and fundraising to maintain the castle and provide community access.

Local Councillor Todd Ferguson said:

“The Friends of Portencross Castle volunteers have been proud custodians of the castle for over 20 years, preserving a landmark where 15 royal charters were signed by Robert II. Their unselfish dedication has transformed it into a remarkable tourist attraction and a valuable resource for everyone to enjoy.

“My personal thanks to Persimmon for their continued support of local projects and community groups. It’s vital that developers continue to deliver tangible community financial benefit like this.”

Jack Sloss, Contracts Manager at Persimmon Homes West Scotland, said:

“Portencross Castle is a cherished part of Ayrshire’s heritage and a landmark that means so much to the local community.

“At Persimmon, we’re committed to leaving a lasting legacy in the areas where we operate, and we’re pleased to help the Friends of Portencross Castle continue their invaluable work protecting and sharing this remarkable historic site.”

Kahleen Crawford, Friends of Portencross Castle said:

“Many thanks to Persimmon Homes West Scotland for their generous donation. It is greatly appreciated and will help us at FOPC keep Portencross Castle accessible as a local attraction of great historical interest set in a wonderfully scenic location. Although we attract many from far and near, we do not charge an entry fee and rely completely on the kindness of visitors and guardians, our own fundraising activities, and the dedication of our workers and volunteers who welcome visitors during the summer season.

“Raising funds to maintain and protect the Castle is a challenge. We recently undertook a very significant roof repair and remain committed to staying ahead of the works required to maintain the Castle and keep it open for all to enjoy. This donation from Persimmon Homes West Scotland will assist in that challenge, and we are very grateful to receive it.”

The donation forms part of Persimmon’s Community Champions initiative, which sees each of its 29 regional businesses donate up to £6,000 every quarter to charities, community groups, and good causes in the areas where the company builds.

Persimmon is creating a new community, Snowdon Gait, in nearby West Kilbride. The development offers a range of three to five-bedroom homes, with prices starting from £284,000, and includes a number of time-limited incentives. More information is available on Persimmon’s website.