The Saltcoats Home
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To view historical postcards of old Saltcoats
Extremely rare Saltcoats coin, marked "Saltcoats /
Merchants"
within wreathed border and
5/6 in center, dated 1797
Saltcoats is a little town on the west coast of lowland
Scotland overlooking the isle of Arran. Its past history was a salt
panning, coal-mining, weaving and <incidentally> ship-building
town. Presently it is a little bit of a seaside resort, Scottish
style. It is a quiet sort of place as seaside towns go.
The old coal mine which sits on the sea front is in ruin,
and is now part of a golf course. Houses had been built over the old
mine, and eventually had to be pulled down when the land began to
subside into the mine tunnels. When I was a kid, I played on the mine
ruins, just as kids do today. I used to think it was a castle ruin,
and was crushed when I learned it was not.
When I am at Saltcoats, I stay at my aunt and uncle's
home on Windmill Street overlooking Saltcoats Harbor. Windmill Street
is named after the five or six hundred year old windmill ruin in the
back yard. The harbor is man-made, with a stone pier that protects
the shoreline. It is said that Robert Burns collected taxes in the
customs house built on Saltcoats Harbor pier.
Saltcoats Harbor has so influenced me that I made the
Harbor Quilt for my Aunt.
When the tide is out, you can walk out on the rocks
quite a distance into the harbor.
Here I am with Caitlyn and preggo with Matthew.
My kids love to feed the seagulls on the
seafront.
There are several arcades along the seafront at
Saltcoats.
This kiddie ride is located at the bottom of the street.
I'm sure you know where my kids hang out every day.
They are always looking for a 20p. coin.
Weather permitting, vendors will bring traveling
amusements
to the seafront.
Although there is a movie theater in Saltcoats,
night life often takes the form of going to the pub.
Each of my uncles has their own "favorite" pub
where you will find them on a particular night when they go
"doon ta tha toon."
Sometimes you will even find them all together.
Ardrossan Castle ruin overlooks both Saltcoats and
Ardrossan.
Sacked by Cromwell, all that remains is an arch, a bit of a
tower,
and a cellar. Stones in the Castle graveyard date to the 16th
century
when you can read them.
Still, its fun to climb Castle hill and pretend you are a
knight.
There's plenty more to see and do in Saltcoats.
Look at the Saltcoat's Postcards, or continue in your travels.
Click on the area of the map you wish to view next.
3/25/97updated 8/1/98