Coatbridge

Coatbridge, burgh, south-western Scotland. The town has the privileges of a royal burgh and is located in North Lanarkshire, just 8 km (5 mi) east of Glasgow. Coatbridge became a centre for the country's iron trade following the discovery of iron and coal in the vicinity. Almost half of Scotland's blast furnaces once lay in or near the town, but these no longer operate. Scottish ironmaster James Baird was largely responsible for the industrial development of the burgh. Today, its principal industries are printing and light engineering. Coatbridge was incorporated as a municipal burgh in 1885. Population (1990 estimate) 43,600.