SCOTLAND is home to dozens of beautiful and "picturesque" seaside towns, but finding one that is affordable to live and buy a house in is another matter entirely.
Some coastal spots are so desired and sought-after that the price alone is enough to put even a seasoned buyer off.
However, the popular holiday resort of Saltcoats in Ayrshire has been named the country's cheapest place to purchase a property in, with an average asking price of around £110,000.
This research from Unbiased placed it above other locations in Scotland like Grangemouth, Irvine and Kilmarnock.
See inside Scotland's cheapest town to buy a house in
According to Undiscovered Scotland, the seaside town owes its name and existence to the easily mined coal deposits in the area.
From the 1200s onwards, this coal was used to heat and evaporate sea water to produce salt.
With the establishment of a railway link to Glasgow in 1840 and the construction of a swimming pool in the 1930s, the town became a popular resort.
Nowadays, the town is still home to a number of great attractions that appeal to both tourists and residents.
Saltcoats Beach, which is far more pleasant than it was over 800 years ago when it was home to the salt industry, is a popular place to check out.
Users on Tripadvisor have given the coastal spot a 4/5 out of 167 reviews.
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One person said it evokes the "memories of childhood," while another added: "The views out to sea are spectacular with not only Arran clearly visible but the Paps of Jura just north of the island when conditions are just right."
The settlement continues to enjoy railway links with Glasgow and has become a popular commuter town for those working in neighbouring areas, thanks to its handy road connections.
Beyond this, there is also nearby Irvine Beach, which was named one of the best places to watch the sunset in Scotland, and Dean Castle Country Park in Kilmarnock.
