The Herald

When Scotland's original five new towns were planned, one key architectural feature was omitted: a backbone. Planners knew that the settlements had to have a solid transport infrastructure, well-organised housing and opportunities for commerce. What they didn't anticipate was the weight of criticism the towns would have to endure. Cumbernauld bears the brunt of this, with its multiple wins of the Plook on the Plinth Award for the most dismal town in Scotland and last year's UK-wide public nomination for destruction during the Demolition series on Channel 4. Nor has East Kilbride been immune to criticism, but the town has announced plans for regeneration – and not in a roundabout way.