W.P. Boyd, 1912

For important service given by Sir Robert Boyd to his
country, he was rewarded by Bruce with gifts of land of
Kilmarnock, Bondington, and Hertschaw, which has been
forfeited by John Baliol and these gifts were granted by
charter dated 1308 and 1316.  According to (Robert) Wood, 
(a Scottish historian and author of "The Scots Peerage"
which was lated edited and re-published by Sir James Balfour Paul, Lord Lyon, King of Arms) he had also con- ferred upon him "the lands of Kilbryd and Ardnel, which 
had belonged to Godfrey de Ross, a son of  the deceased Reginald de Ross, also all the lands which belonged to William de Mora's in the tenement of Dalry, with seven 
acres of land,  which were Robert de Ross's in the tenement of Ardnel, which was erected into an entire and free
Barony to be held by the King."  The lands of Ardnel or
Portincross, situated in the Parish of West Kilbride, were 
conferred on sir Robert Boyd  about the year of 1308, 
and afterwards became the patrimony of a younger son of 
the family, and remained in that family until the year 1737. 

This castle of the Portincross Boyds, at this time stood
upon a ledge of rocks, projecting into the sea under a bold
promontory , which gives it the name of a singular, wild and
romantic situation.  Several royal charters of the two first
Stewart kings bears to have received the Sign - Manual at
"Ardnel" which unquestionably refers to this fortlet, and
which has lead to a notion of writers that Portincross, was
at that period a Royal residence of the Kings of Scotland.
But there seems to be no evidence whatever to conclude if
it ever was such in the proper sense of the term.  The
probability is that these Sovereigns in passing too and
from Dundonald in Kyle, and Rothesay in Bute, had been 
used as a harbor in crossing the channel at this port, and
may occasionally as circumstances or inclination suggested have prolonged their stay at this convenient station.
Contemplating and gazing on the narrow walls of this
sea-beaten tower, it is certainly difficult to conceive that
it should ever have afforded accommodation to the prestige 
of a Royal Court.  Yet, when we reflect on the circumscrib- ed nature of even Dondonald itself, the favorite residence of these same Sovereigns, the contrast by no means appear so extraordinary." 

More on Portencross
http://www.ameritech.net/users/hughie/portencross_castle.htm 

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