Saltcoats is a town on the west coast of North Ayrshire, forming one of the 'Three Towns' along with neighbouring Ardrossan and Stevenston. A few miles northwest of Irvine, Saltcoats is served by regular bus and train services. The A78 bypass frames the town and offers high-speed road links across Ayrshire towards Glasgow.
Saltcoats is served by four primary schools, a secondary school and a special needs school. Its harbour was designed in 1811 by James Jardine, and the town's name stems from the salt harvested from seawater along the shoreline.