Traveller names Cumbernauld worst in Scotland
A man who visited 312 towns and cities across Great Britain has named Cumbernauld as the worst town in Scotland. Matt Hughes spent £15,000 on his six-month journey in 2025, documenting it on his YouTube channel The Absolute Ranker.
Hughes described the North Lanarkshire town as 'a dystopian nightmare' where 'grey permeates' and 'dreams come to die'. He criticised its 'dull, dated, dingy, depressing' town centre and 'oppressive' artwork.
Gregory's Girl comparison
Hughes noted that Cumbernauld served as the backdrop for the 1980 film Gregory's Girl and 'somehow looked more modern' in the film than it does now. He said: 'The worst town in Scotland, a dystopian nightmare, a place where grey permeates, and a place where dreams come to die, the town that hasn't been updated in decades, what's it called? Cumbernauld.'
He added: 'Even the artwork in the centre is oppressive. Cumbernauld is twinned with Brun in France. So, I sincerely hope that no poor French students get sent here on an exchange programme.'
Other towns criticised
Hughes placed Methil in Fife as the second-worst, describing it as ticking 'all the boxes of a failed society'. Lochgelly, also in Fife, came third, with Hughes criticising its 'beige, brown, grey' buildings. Alloa and Buckhaven completed the top five, with Hughes noting Alloa's 'awful' buildings and 'melancholy' atmosphere, and Buckhaven's 'washed up plastic' and 'uneasy' feeling.
