Coatbridge, industrial burgh (town), North Lanarkshire council area, historic county of Lanarkshire, central Scotland, 9 miles (14 km) east of the city of Glasgow. The town’s industrial prosperity was originally based on local coal production for the Glasgow market. When iron deposits were discovered near the coal, an important iron and steel industry developed in the early 19th century, centred in Coatbridge. The Scottish ironmaster James Baird was primarily responsible for developing this iron industry. Coatbridge became a burgh in 1885. Although the disappearance of its traditional manufacturing sectors during the late 20th century caused economic hardship, more specialized manufactures (such as audio equipment) and service activities have developed in the burgh. Centrally located within Scotland’s railway network, Coatbridge is a dry-port hub, handling large volumes of freight. Pop. (2001) 40,950; (2011) 43,840.