Cumbernauld wins KILTR sponsored civic pride title in the Scottish Design Awards
Cumbernauld has won the ‘best town’ civic pride award, a new category in the Scottish Design Awards, being held tonight, while Govan was voted the best neighbourhood.
The nominations process began last month in association with Scottish social network KILTR, producing thousands of responses which were then narrowed down to a shortlist.
Brian Hughes, CEO of KILTR, said: “We’re delighted to be backing the first ever Scottish Civic Pride Awards and helping to shine a spotlight on Scotland’s favourite towns and communities.
“At KILTR, we’re all about harnessing the positivity of Scots and affinity Scots from all around the world for the benefit of Scotland’s future, commercially and culturally.”
Cumbernauld has previously won two Carbuncle Awards from Urban Realm, presented to the town or village which was judged the worst place in Scotland.
John Glenday, editor of Urban Realm magazine and organiser of the Carbuncle Awards, said: “Cumbernauld has been synonymous with the Carbuncles for the past decade but this latest accolade paints an altogether different picture of this much maligned town.
“The enthusiasm with which residents have rallied to their towns cause illustrates that the glue which holds are towns together isn’t bricks and mortar; it is the social interactions and community spirit exemplified by the Civic Pride Awards.”
Gordon Young, editor of The Drum, said: “The initial complaints against the town concerned the disastrous design of the town centre.
“However, Cumbernauld’s real success story is how it has prospered despite these problems.
“If you look at the surrounding countryside, the high demand for housing, rich and diverse suburbs, transport links to Glasgow and Edinburgh and a vibrant community spirit you can see why it has become a decent place to bring up a family.”
The rest of the winners of the Scottish Design Awards will be announced at the ceremony in the Radisson Hotel this evening. Follow the hashtag #scottishdesignawards to see our tweets.
As well as The Drum, Urban Realm and Kiltr, the Scottish Design Awards are being sponsored by Historic Scotland, Buro Happold, BRE, Elmwood, Recommended Agency Register and MiNetwork.