Saltcoats

城市概覽

While nearby towns such as Largs and Troon developed as beach resorts in the Victorian era, the Three Towns have always been industrial. Trades included salt extraction, shipping, quarrying and mining, and in the early 20th century Stevenston produced military and commercial explosives. Little of these now remain and various regeneration projects have faltered, so the towns have fallen back on being slightly grubby beach resorts, and commuterland for Irvine. The population in 2020 was 10,500 for Ardrossan, 12,250 for Saltcoats, and 9050 for Stevenston.

如何抵達

By car From Glasgow, follow M8 west. Just past Glasgow Airport, exit at Jcn 29 onto A737, following signs for Irvine. With a light vehicle (and with a caravan or RV is okay), at Dalry take the signposted shortcut onto B780. (With fields and hills all around, it'll feel like you're many miles from the coast. But then you glimpse a line of wind turbines, as if an enormous aircraft was taxiing on the far side of the ridge; finally the sea and harbour come into view.) Otherwise stay on A737 to join A78 further south. From England, take M6 then A75 to Dumfries, then A76 to Kilmarnock, then A71 west to join A78. All approaches eventually follow A78, which bypasses Ardrossan, so ferry traffic loops round to the north of town then approaches the harbour along Eglinton road. (Don't follow what looks like a shortcut along A738 unless Stevenston or Saltcoats is your destination, you don't want to be part of the congestion on this road.) The final turn onto Glasgow St towards the harbour comes up with little warning, so when you reach the sign to the ferry, turn promptly. There's long stay parking next to the ferry terminal, plus an Asda supermarket - stock up on fuel and supplies before crossing to Arran.

By bus Stagecoach Bus X36 runs from Glasgow Buchanan station every couple of hours daily, taking 90 min, with a bus at midnight, 3AM then 7AM. (But don't get on the X36 operated by First Scotland East, or you'll end up in Cumbernauld!) You can also reach Ardrossan just as quickly by taking the X34 (for Beith and Irvine), and changing at Kilwinning for Bus 11, which is the frequent Kilmarnock-Ardrossan service. A third option is to take the X77 (for Ayr) and change at Prestwick for Bus 585. The latter bus, Stagecoach Bus 585 or "Clyde Coaster", runs between Ayr and Prestwick Airport in the south, through Saltcoats and Ardrossan, and on to Largs (for Great Cumbrae), Weymss Bay (for Isle of Bute) and Greenock. It runs every 30 min M-Sa and every two hours on Sunday.

By tr

當地交通

Walking will get you around town. The train and Bus 585 (above) connect Ardrossan, Saltcoats and Stevenston. Taxi operators in Ardrossan are Mainland (☏ +44 1294 463556) and P&H (☏ +44 1294 480089), and in Saltcoats are Steve's (+44 7900 291178), Central (☏ +44 1294 464646) and West Coast (☏ +44 1294 605605).

必看景點

1 Ardrossan Castle. Closed. The castle was once ransacked by William Wallace and his followers and remained an important outpost until Oliver Cromwell took control of it, had it dismantled and sent the stone to build a new castle in Ayr. So it's just a stone stump, but prominently located on the hill above town centre. The ruins have become unsafe and are fenced off; either duck through a hole in the fence or just admire the exterior and views across the Firth to Arran. (updated Sep 2022) Sculpture Garden is rather a grand name for the cobbles set down on a checkerboard on the breakwater pier north of the marina. It's the work of Hideo Furuta (1949-2007), born in Hiroshima and settling in Creetown Kirkcudbright, who made much use of the granite from a disused nearby quarry. Barony St Johns (now a training centre) and St Peter in Chains (RC) are good examples of old and new styles of church architecture. They're close together at the north end of South Beach. 2 Horse Isle is seen half a mile out from the harbour - or not seen, as it's low-lying and close to the navigation channel, causing several wreckings. The 52-ft tower was built in 1811 to act as a day-mark but has never had a light. The island is now an RSPB nature reserve. 3 Montfode Castle is just a stump of masonry, all that remains of a 16th-century tower. Cromwell's not to blame for this ruin however, as it was stripped of its stone in the 19th century to build a dam for a mill at Montfode Farm. You see it first from the bypass A78 just before this reaches the coast. For a closer look, turn onto the coast road then immediately right into the lane. 4 St Cuthbert's Church, Campbell Ave, Saltcoats KA21 5AF (corner of Caledonia Road). Fine church built in 1908. Note the stain-glass windows and the small carvings around the entrances and within. It's Church of Scotland, with regular services. (updated Sep 2022) 5 North Ayrshire Heritage Centre, 13 Kirkgate, Saltcoats KA21 9QJ (200 yards west of Saltcoats station

體驗活動

Beaches along this coastline are: - Ardrossan South Beach, just south of the main railway station, is the principal traditional seaside area. - Ardrossan North Beach, north of the harbour, is quieter. Best views are at sunset as the light drops over the mountains of Arran. Listen out for the story of how the Earl of Eglington was horribly slain here. No spoilers, but if you seize a cartload of contraband rum on a fine smugglers' beach like this, then beware reprisals, even if you let them keep the cart. - Saltcoats South Beach is another traditional seaside strip, close to Saltcoats railway station where hordes alight from Glasgow. - Stevenston Beach further south is much quieter, but the tide comes right in and with the wind behind the sea it can become hazardous. 1 Holm Plantation, a short way inland from Ardrossan South Beach, is a relaxing grassland for recreation and walking. Auchenharvie Leisure Centre, Saltcoats Road, Stevenston KA20 3JR (any bus along B780 Canal St, eg 11 or 585), ☏ +44 1294 605126. M-F 7AM-9PM, Sa Su 8AM-5PM. Activities include swimming in the Olympic-sized pool and ice skating. North Ayrshire Wild ice hockey team play here Sept-March in the Scottish National League, the second tier. (updated Dec 2023) Golf: Auchengarvie GC is nine holes. It's by the loch half a mile east of Saltcoats. See Kilwinning for Ardeer GC. Ardrossan Bowling Club, Kilmeny Terrace, Ardrossan KA22 8DX (just off South Beach), ☏ +44 1294 463805. This is not a wise choice for the under 60s. (updated Sep 2022) Premier Leisure Cinema, The Esplanade, Saltcoats KA21 5DE, ☏ +44 1294 471777. Multiplex overlooking Saltcoats harbour. (updated Sep 2022) 2 Basebowl, 58-60 Hamilton Street, Saltcoats KA21 5DS, ☏ +44 1294 603801. Su-Th 10AM-9PM, F Sa 10AM-11PM. Ten pin bowling. (updated Sep 2022) Sail the ferry to Arran even if you're not staying on the island. You can take a day-trip to Brodick and visit the castle, or just cruise there and back without stepping ashore. Have a sc

購物

ASDA is the big store by Ardrossan Harbour, open daily 8AM-1PM. Stock up on essentials here before sailing to Arran, especially fuel