Saltcoats

Overview

In the 1500s, King James V dipped into his own pocket to establish the salt panning industry here from which the town takes its name.

Saltcoats today is much better known for its picturesque harbour and golden, sandy beaches set around Irvine Bay. Visitors interested in the history of the area will find a comprehensive overview at the North Ayrshire Museum which is housed in a former church. The small harbour dates from the late 17th century with later alterations, and at low tide fossilised trees can be seen on the harbour floor. It was in Saltcoats, in 1793, that Betsy Miller, the only woman ever to have become a registered ship's captain, was born.