North Ayrshire covers a section of Scotland’s Firth of Clyde coast and extends out to the islands of Arran, Great Cumbrae and Little Cumbrae. Towns on the mainland include Largs, Ardrossan, Saltcoats, Stevenston, Irvine and Kilwinning. Ferry services link Ardrossan with Brodick on Arran and Largs with Millport on Great Cumbrae. The mainland shoreline alternates between sandy bays and working harbours, and the post-industrial landscape around Irvine sits close to Eglinton Country Park with the ruins of Eglinton Castle and its estate grounds.
The Isle of Arran is part of the district and changes the area’s character: Machrie Moor holds a series of stone circles and standing stones set on low moorland, while Goat Fell rises above Brodick at 874 metres and is a familiar landmark from ferries and coastal viewpoints. Local economies mix tourism, fishing and light industry, and the islands support year-round communities as well as seasonal visitors. Transportation links and a network of coastal paths connect settlements across the mainland and islands.
