Ardrossan and Saltcoats Beaches

Ardrossan and Saltcoats are two neighbouring small towns on the west coast of North Ayrshire and have three dog-friendly beach areas.

If we start North of Ardrossan, you have Boydston Beach, also known as Ardrossan North Shore, to the north of the harbour. Looking seawards, you can see Horse Island, which is uninhabited and now an RSPB bird reserve, although with no public access. The 52-foot stone tower on the island was built in 1811 to help identify the hazard of shipping close to the harbour.

The stretch between Ardrossan and Saltcoats is Saltcoats Beach, also known as Ardrossan South Beach, which is a sandy beach backed by a grassy area and esplanade.

Then, running south away from Salcoats, you have Stevenston Beach, the more remote stretch. Low, grassy dunes back the beach and lie in an area designated as a Local Nature Reserve.

You have a good range of amenities in Ardrossan and Saltcoats, within walking distance of the beaches.