The most dismal place in Scotland

**crayola** · 28-Sep-09, 00:08

I was surprised today to discover that Glenrothes was voted the most dismal place in Scotland in January this year. It beat off stiff competition from Motherwell and New Cumnock. I went to Glenrothes occasionally in the 90's and I thought it was ok. Has it gone downhill since then?

Anyways, what are your candidates for the most dismal town in Scotland?

My friend from the NE says nowhere is as dismal as Peterhead but I haven't been there myself.

Here are my candidates, in alphabetical order....

Airdrie
Ardrossan
Coatbridge
Port Glasgow
Whitburn

**Gronnuck** · 28-Sep-09, 07:28

There is nowhere more dismal than Cumbernauld town centre on a wet day. I challenge anyone not to be moved to tears after half an hour wandering in and around the place

**joxville** · 28-Sep-09, 08:11

Salsburgh
Paisley
Greenock
Anstruther
Wick

**BINBOB** · 28-Sep-09, 10:05

The org ..on a bad day.

**Invisible** · 28-Sep-09, 10:56

Dundee
Paisley
Cumbernauld
Stornoway

**Gizmo** · 28-Sep-09, 11:30

Wick market square for the last few years, and even more so since Woolies closed down, it's been as dismal a place as i have ever seen, you'd swear it had been quarantined off due to some contagious virus.

**cuddlepop** · 28-Sep-09, 12:43

Kyle
Aberdeen
Dingwall
Fort William.
These places just leave me feeling "cold" and depressed.

**crayola** · 29-Sep-09, 00:27

Some interesting choices here.....

I like Aberdeen and Anstruther and I almost like Fort William.

Architecturally, the centre of Fort William is a drunken kebab-vomit cesspit but the surrounding scenery more than makes up for that.

Port Glasgow and Greenock are barely distinguishable and I imagine Salsburgh to be as dismal as Whitburn.

**Moira** · 29-Sep-09, 00:32

Clydebank, Glasgow.
I have no idea if it constitutes itself as a town but I felt totally miserable on both of my visits here.

Dingwall itself is ok but don't stay at Tulloch Castle if you can avoid it.

**crayola** · 29-Sep-09, 00:38

Most of the old Clydeside towns are dismal and Clydebank is no exception. Renfrew isn't so bad, in parts.

**joxville** · 29-Sep-09, 07:59

Originally Posted by crayola

Most of the old Clydeside towns are dismal and Clydebank is no exception. Renfrew isn't so bad, in parts.

Aye, yer right, especially about Renfrew with that huge blot on the landscape called Braehead Shopping Centre. My dad was born in Renfrew, if he were alive today he wouldn't recognise the place, it hasn't improved at all even though it's changed.

**Amy-Winehouse** · 29-Sep-09, 08:03

Kirkcaldy
Stenhousemuir
Cowdenbeath
Methil
Wick
Springburn
Dundee
Westerhailes
Easterhouse

But the winner has to be Cumbernauld

**joxville** · 29-Sep-09, 08:07

One of the problems with the towns mentioned comes down to a lack of money spent on the towns to improve them, though I don't pretend to know in which way they can be improved. I mentioned Wick as being dismal however I don't want the Weekers to take it personally, I like the people, they have a good community spirit, better than some of the places I've lived. Salsburgh, on the other hand is a grey town in the middle of nothing with nothing going for it.

**Amy-Winehouse** · 29-Sep-09, 08:17

Wick is dismal, go down to lower Pulteney when its raining ( it rains a lot in Wick

) And there isnt really anywhere more depressing imo, the grey buildings in disrepair, the green mould & slime, very eerie place even from 25 years ago.
On the Wick side Bridge street is a bit of an eyesore tbh, Ive spoken to tourists over the summer who`ve asked `how can you live here???` I nowadays struggle to give a reply, `Its home & where I was brought up`

Id like to say the place was vibrant , the nightlife electric & the football stadium/ club were superb, plenty for my kids to do & lots of employment but there isnt so in my book - its dismal. Just the people are good & kind so it helps