THE "tattoo maw" has arrived in Saltcoats as a new business opened in the town today.

Lorraine Gordon opened her latest venture Tidal Tattoo on Manse Street in the town for the first time on May 22.

It's a venutre six months in the making after Lorraine took over the property in Novmeber. The lovingly nicknamed "the tattoo maw" brings with her a wealth of experience having first started the craft 30 years ago.

She has worked in Hamilton, Glasgow and East Kilbride. And locally it will be a family affair, with Lorraine set to work alongside her youngest daughter, Jade, at the new parlour.

It's something Lorraine is very much looking forward to and hopes customers will appreciate.

She told the Herald: “We just try to do it in a way that it’s a family business and more female orientated in a way.

“Not just in terms of ‘we only tattoo females’, more that it’s female run and in that way it’s not too aggressive and we’re not too scarily tattooed.”

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Lorraine will be in the shop on Mondays and Tuesdays with Jade, who already has 15 years experience tattooing, taking the reigns as she works the rest of the week, excluding Sundays, when the shop will be closed.

Lorraine is hoping the pair can offer a positive experience for customers.

She added: “We try and keep our tattoos as competitive as possible as well – we just do the best we can.”

The idea to launch the local venture was sparked after Lorraine moved to the area.

She explained: “I moved to Ardrossan four and a half years ago, I absolutely love it down here, it’s unbelievable.

“I was up in Glasgow and now I’m facing out to the sea, to Arran, I see that everyday and I just love it.

“I’ve always been an artist as well so I’ve been doing oil paintings of Arran – it’s inspired me again.

“It’s a great place to be and everyone’s been really friendly and encouraging as well.”

Tidal Tattoo will be hosting an open day from 3-6pm on Friday, May 26, where locals will have the chance to pop in, meet the team, take a look at the studio, and even pick up some vouchers for future use.

Contact the shop for more information on 07760 824334.