Town wins silveras Kirkcaldy getsthe beauty crown

But for the local people striving to retain Cumbernauld’s previous gold rating a runners-up silver was still proof enough that the town is special – burying at last the ignominy of that still-remembered Carbuncle award.

Adam Smith of Cumbernauld Environmental Society said “While it was disappointing that Cumbernauld wasn’t able to retain the Best Small City trophy, the town can take some consolation in the knowledge that ‘Cumbernauld’ will forever be inscribed in Beautiful Scotland.

The Beautiful Scotland judges visited Cumbernauld last month and were shown around the town by Fiona Kenny and Adam Smith, who collated the town’s entry yet again.

The group planned and co-ordinated the judging visit and prepared a portfolio detailing some of Cumbernauld’s key achievements over the last year.

The judging route included Cumbernauld Community Memorial Peace Garden, Broadwood Loch, the garden of the Scottish Spina Bifida Centre in Craighalbert, Cumbernauld Community Park, and Abronhill Primary School’s Outdoor Classroom in Cumbernauld Glen.

The judges also found out about the new Cumbernauld Town Centre Action Plan, as well as the work of Cumbernauld Living Landscape and the Living Window project.

The awards event was staged in Dundee, making it a big day for the east coast – but there’s always next year.