Saltcoats' name is derived from the town's earliest industry when salt was harvested from the sea water, carried out in small houses along the beach known as 'cots'. Other early industries in the town included coal mining, fishing and handloom weaving. After the turn of the twentieth century and the decline of salt panning in the town, Saltcoats became increasingly popular as a holiday destination. An old bathing pond was rebuilt during the 1930s, becoming the largest tidal pool of the time in Scotland. Saltcoats beautiful sandy beach makes it a popular destination for holiday makers and daytrippers. Saltcoats received Burgh status in 1528, which lasted into 1975 when it was integrated into the then new Cunninghame District Council (now North Ayrshire Council).