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Portencross

a mini-photo guide in North Ayrshire, Scotland.

By Johnny Graham

April 20^th, 2018

Portencross is a small community on the North Ayrshire coast

Portencross is a small community on the north Ayrshire coast located just to the west of Seamill and south of Hunterston B nuclear powerstation and has good parking provided in a large carpark.

It's recently been in the news in the last year after being used as a film location for Star Trek actor's Chris Pine's new movie Outlaw King. It's also a handy photography location.

Star Trails over Portencross Castle with the distant lights of Millport.

There’s four main areas of photographic interest;

Immediately evident from the handy carpark is the weather beaten & rock hewn coastline with sea vista's over to the Isle of Arran with Goat Fell(2,867 ft) providing the most dramatic view.

Secondly just to the north of the carpark on a rocky promontory is Portencross Castle which dates to the 14th century.

Storm at Portencross Pier.

Thirdly just to the north of the Castle is North Habour an old tidal fishing harbour that still has a few boats tied up.

Fourthly and lastly and yet again northwards is Portencross Pier which though in a state of disrepair is a regular haunt for fishermen. It was built as a stopping place for Clyde Steamers.

Coast at Portencross.

The landscape potential of the area is great, the shoreline is rocky and weather beaten and full of character as is the castle and the small boats that make their home here and if wildlife photography is one of your areas of interest too there's a wide range of birdlife from Guillemots to Buzzards to Stonechats to chance upon in the area.

Portencross Habour and Pier.

In the darker months the stars here can be impressive and although you will never quite escape the light pollution of the central belt and nearby towns and villages it is one of the darker spots around for night sky photography. I have merrily shot the milky way here in the right conditions and I have caught the Northern Lights, only point of note for the Northern Lights is that the view to the North is partially blocked with the South-North running coastline and islands so activity has to be good to be seen. Night Sky compositions and star trails involving the castle and pier are particularly worthwhile.

Enjoy!

Storm at Portencross Habour.

Thunder Storm over Little Cumbrae.

Milky Way over Portencross Pier.

Star Trails over Arran.

Storm Waves at Portencross.

Milky Way over Portencross Castle.

Portencross

Coast at Portencross.

Golden Hour at Portencross Habour & Castle.

Start of Storm Ophelia at Portencross.

View over Arran & Goatfell from Portencross.

Pano: Portencross.

Just a Touch of Northern Lights at Portencross Habour.

http://www.portencrosscastle.org.uk/

https://www.facebook.com/portencross/

© 2026 Johnny Graham

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