Legend has it that Portencross Castle was the last resting place for Scottish kings, whose bodies lay in state here before being transported to the island of Iona for burial. The rich history of the 14th century ancient scheduled monument includes being a Boyd family stronghold and the location of the sinking of a Spanish Armada ship off the coast in 1588. The route between Portencross and Largs forms part of the popular Ayrshire Coastal Path.