North Ayrshire
Unitary authority in western Scotland, created in 1996 from Cunninghame
district in Strathclyde region
Area:
889 sq km/343 sq mi
Towns:
Irvine (administrative headquarters), Kilwinning, Saltcoats, Largs,
Kilbirnie
Physical:
Low-lying coastal plain on the mainland, rising inland to a plateau
of over 305 m/1,000 ft; the islands of the Firth of Clyde are
Arran, Holy Isle, Cumbraes; the rivers Irvine and Garnock reach
the sea at Irvine; Goat Fell (874 m/2,867 ft)
Features:
Pencil Monument, Largs; Scottish Maritime Museum, Irvine; Hunterston
nuclear power station; Nardinis Ices, Largs
Industries:
Chemical, electronic, computer manufacturing
Agriculture:
Dairying, potatoes
Population:
(1995) 139,500
History:
Eglinton Tournament (19th century); Battle of Largs (1263), when the
Scots captured the Hebrides from the Norwegians.
Economy
The towns of the Garnock Valley have suffered from de-industrialization,
despite diversification of the economy. Irvine New Town is the
focus for electronics and chemical industries. The area is within
the Glasgow commuter zone.
Environment
There are 27 Sites of Special Scientific Interest, one National Nature
Reserve, one National Scenic Area, one regional park, and two
country parks.
Administrative History
Prior to 1975, the mainland was part of the county of Ayrshire, and
Arran was part of the county of Bute.
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