Cumbernauld in North Lanarkshire has seen huge changes over the years. Originally a village built around Cumbernauld Castle and Cumbernauld House, it was designated a New Town in 1955 to house people living in poor conditions and war-damaged areas in Glasgow and elsewhere. Its population grew rapidly as construction started and by 1967, when the town centre was opened by Princess Margaret, Cumbernauld was winning awards for its innovative modernist architecture. Construction and expansion has continued in the ensuing years, with some of its original architecture being modified and even rebuilt for the changing requirements of people living in present-day Scotland.
In Cumbernauld From Old Photographs author Adam Smith has drawn on a remarkable selection of images to give a pictorial record of how much the town and the community has changed over the years. Although many of landmarks have remained the same, the photographs show the town adapting and evolving, with many other buildings being replaced and the pattern of life in the town changing for many too. This fascinating collection of images will be of interest to those who have lived in Cumbernauld or know it well.
