Saltcoats

History

The history of Saltcoats can be traced back to when the monks of Kilwinning Abbey discovered easily accessible coastal coal seams at Saltcoats in the 1200s, it expanded from small scattering of buildings. The coal proved an efficient source of heat for evaporating saltwater for the manufacturing of salt, and by the 1500s, King James V funded sheds along the shoreline, leading to a successful salt pans industry. This sector of the economy is where Saltcoats gets its name. In 1528, Saltcoats was granted status as a burgh leading to the creation of a market. By the middle of the 1600s, Saltcoats' primary sources of income were the import of corn and butter, as well as the sale of cattle and fish (mostly herring) to Ireland. Local farmers produced cheese, butter, wheat, oats, and potatoes. Cottage labourers in the town were given access to hand looms so they could weave muslins for the Glasgow and Paisley markets. On the outskirts of the town, chemical operations that produce magnesium and Epsom salts ran on waste materials from the salt-panning business. In the late 18th century, several shipyards operated at Saltcoats, producing some 60 to 70 ships. The leading shipbuilder was William Ritchie, but in 1790 he moved his business to Belfast. In 1793, it was recorded that Saltcoats had around 400 houses, with three operational shipyards remaining. By 1820, this had climbed to 600 houses, with a population of 3,413 being noted. By the early 19th century, the town had stopped producing ships. Saltcoats Town Hall, which dates back to 1826, is a Category B listed building. Saltcoats had various amenities, lodging, and entertainment required to develop into a prosperous seaside resort as a result of the vast, protected bay known as "South Beach" between Saltcoats and…

Most-observed species

• Herring Gull

  Larus argentatus Pontoppidan, 1763 · Aves
  19,609
• Western Jackdaw

  Coloeus monedula (Linnaeus, 1758) · Aves
  17,704
• Rook

  Corvus frugilegus Linnaeus, 1758 · Aves
  14,992
• Carrion Crow

  Corvus corone Linnaeus, 1758 · Aves
  13,167
• House Sparrow

  Passer domesticus (Linnaeus, 1758) · Aves
  12,795
• Lesser Black-backed Gull

  Larus fuscus Linnaeus, 1758 · Aves
  10,467
• Common Wood-Pigeon

  Columba palumbus Linnaeus, 1758 · Aves
  9,906
• European Starling

  Sturnus vulgaris Linnaeus, 1758 · Aves
  9,793

Most recent

• M 3.1 — 2021-11-16
  18 km NW of Lochgilphead, United Kingdom
• M 2.5 — 2018-08-30
  1 km ENE of Gourock, United Kingdom
• M 2.6 — 2017-11-01
  2 km NNW of Tarbert, United Kingdom
• M 3.6 — 2006-12-26
  2 km NW of Dumfries, United Kingdom
• M 2.5 — 2005-12-31
  3 km WSW of Auchterarder, United Kingdom
• M 2.5 — 2003-06-20
  12 km NNW of Balfron, United Kingdom