The Salt Cot Visited
Photos
Local Area
Visited as part of walking the Ayrshire Coastal Path with this section going from Irvine to Ardrossan passing through Stevenson and Saltcoats. Headed back to Saltcoats at the end to visit the Wetherspoons. Saltcoats is part of the "Three Towns" area alongside Ardrossan and Stevenston, about 30 miles southwest of Glasgow. Saltcoats was a hub for salt production in the 17th-18th centuries, with seawater evaporated using coal fires. It later became known for coal mining, fishing, and shipbuilding. Like most of these coastal towns it's a bit run down nowadays with lots of empty shop units. There are some nice beaches in this area. Ardrossan is likely from Gaelic, meaning "headland of the little promontory". Ardrossan developed as a key port in the 19th century, with its harbour built in 1805 to support trade, fishing, and later ferry services. It was a significant shipbuilding hub. Ardrossan Castle, a 12th-century ruin on Castle Hill was destroyed by that butchering bastard Cromwell’s forces in the 17th century.
The Pub
Saltcoats originated from a small community living in huts on the seashore, earning a living by fishing and then boiling seawater in small kettles or pans (salt cots!) to cure fish. The pub is maybe the former La Scala theatre in Saltcoats, it's a nice wee pub, yet again the Lavvies are right beside the bar, nae traipsing up or doon multiple flights of stairs! Staff, really good.
Football Team
Nothing of note on this part of the route!
Travel
Busses there: Change of transport! Needed to utilize plan b again! The stagecoach bus strike ends today hopefully, some busses are back running, but wasn't a full service. So train from Partick to Irvine via Glasgow Central using the bus pass for cheap rail fares. Busses back: Train back from Saltcoats to Partick via Glasgow Central.
Beers
Adnams Southwold Mosaic Pale Ale. £1.79 a pint, score 3.5/5. Adnams Brewery is an iconic British coastal brewery founded in 1872 in Southwold, Suffolk. Brewing on a site behind the Swan Inn, beer has been made here since the 14th century. Adnams is famous for balancing traditional English brewing heritage with eco-friendly innovation and modern craft styles. They are a UK leader in sustainable brewing, featuring a eco-designed green warehouse, rainwater recycling, and UK-first carbon-neutral beer projects. Mosaic Pale Ale (4.1% ABV) represents Adnams' modern, single-hop craft focus. It is brewed using American Mosaic hops added at all four stages of the brewing process over a clean, pale malt base. Tasting Notes; light and easy-drinking with vibrant, fruity aromas of mango, peach, lemon, gooseberry, and pine, finishing with a crisp, dry bitterness. Food Pairings; the tropical, punchy fruitiness and clean bitterness of Mosaic Pale Ale make it versatile with lightly spiced and seafood-heavy dishes. Adnams Southwold are best known traditionally for Broadside (a rich ruby ale) and Ghost Ship (a pale ale that leads the UK market in both full-strength and 0.5% low-alcohol forms).