What’s it called? Cumbernauld. Yeah, yeah, we know… copying an eighties ad for an opening is almost unforgivable. However, every single person over thirty in Scotland knows the answer to the question “What’s it called?”. This was thanks to an advertising campaign none of us can forget… It still haunts our dreams. Watch the video below and you will see why. Try not to cringe though it was cool at the time!
Nowadays Cumbernauld is huge in terms of acreage it covers and has a sizable number of people who call it home too. It has a fair few shopping centres, a half-decent Football Team (Clyde FC) and more than one residential estate. It is the busiest town in the area and one of the biggest towns in Scotland.
New Town On On Old One
Cumbernauld was inhabited back in Roman times but is today regarded as a New Town. It was so designated in the 1950s and has grown up around a small village and a medieval castle. Nobody knows how long the castle had been there or where it came from. All we know is that Cumbernauld grew up around it to accommodate the 80% overspill of Glasgow tenement dwellers when the slums were knocked down. For this reason, Cumbernauld might not be Glasgow, but the people are Glaswegian at heart.
So although not technically built until 1955; there have been people in this area since Roman times and the town sits on the Antonine Wall; the northernmost reaches of the Roman Empire in Britain. Some areas of Cumbernauld (like Westerwood) are recorded in Roman texts and it is entirely possible that people lived in this area pre-history. Anyway, before it became the home of a lot of ex Glaswegians…
The Clans Lived Here.
In terms of clans that lived here, central Scotland was home to the Livingston’s, the Hamilton’s, the Flemings, and the Cummings – who once occupied the old Cumbernauld Castle. You will find that the battle of Kilsyth took placed nearby and so lots of clans have names connected to the area. Unfortunately for Clan Cumming, their castle was done for not once, but twice. You can still see stones from each on the grounds of the current house.
Nowadays, Cumbernauld is a thriving industrial and commercial centre… but what is there to do in Cumbernauld even if you don’t know what it’s called? We took a closer look in the hopes of finding out!
The Five Minute Guide To Cumbernauld
What are the best attractions in Cumbernauld out-with the dreadful eighties advertising campaign? Read on for the Five Minutes Spare Guide to Cumbernauld…
Clyde FC
Did you really expect us to start anywhere else? Of course not so if you are not a football fan you can skip this bit. Anyway, the town is home to one of Scotlands oldest clubs Clyde FC who are currently a Scottish League One side. They have been around since 1877 and are three times Scottish Cup winners – the most recent being in 1958! They play at the Broadwood Stadium which has an 8000 plus capacity so you should be able to pay at the gate if you fancy taking in a game.
Image TreasureGalore/Shutterstock.com
Cumbernauld Retail Park
One of the main things to do in Cumbernauld is to go shopping and spend some money. The Retail Park is where you go to buy Christmas presents or spend birthday money if you live nearby. There is plenty of choice in shopping, eating, and entertainment in the Cumbernauld Retail Park. Mostly it is the best place in town to send your teenagers when you want a few hours peace… it’ll cost you though. Teenagers always do.
World of Wings
Stop thinking chicken and start thinking birds of prey. Just outside the town, Cumbernauld has its very own bird centre. Every day they have flight displays, you can feed them, and you can sometimes even wear the glove and let them land on you… There is a gift shop, information galore, and all sorts of interesting bird experiences for the little ones. Kids tend to love this but if you know a bird watcher and you want to blow their mind for a few hours, go here.
World of Wings is also the top-rated attraction in Cumbernauld according to Trip Advisor, as well as being loved by the locals.
Adventure Planet
Adventure Planet is an indoor play and soft play centre, perfect for taking the kids to in Cumbernauld. Looking for something for a rainy afternoon? This is a great way to let the kids play while you enjoy a coffee in the café. If you get invited to a kid’s party in this neck of the woods this is also where you are likely to end up. It really is a great place to go to let them run free. They also run regular activities so keep an eye on the events schedule.
The Antonine Wall
…So this probably isn’t a top attraction specific to Cumbernauld. However, it passes through here, it’s more ancient than sliced bread, and it is a piece of history that the rain is slowly eroding back down to nothing. Go visit if you are in the area. It might not be there in ten years if the recent rainfall carries on as is.
The Cumbernauld Museum
While you are visiting that UNESCO World Heritage site, you should pop into the nearby Cumbernauld Museum. Why have two buildings for separate information when one museum will cover both? There’s some nice, genuine, Scots practicality there for you.
Learn about the Romans and the wall while learning about Cumbernauld. This history is intertwined, after all. Mostly the history of the town starts in the mid-fifties so that’s a bit of a spoiler.
Palacerigg Country Park
This is outside of town to the South-East and is where you go to walk, hike, wild camp, and basically otherwise hideout off-grid. If you want to take your bike and go cycling, find somewhere to fish, or generally hike your wee heart out, then this is where you go to do it. Take your phone and tell someone when you expect to be back if you are going alone. If you run into weather or trouble you should always be prepared. We shouldn’t need to warn you about being safe in the Scottish wilderness – but people die every single year. Don’t be a statistic.
Finally, Even if you are only driving through check out…
Arria, Angel of the Nauld
Image: BeautifulBlossoms/Shutterstock.com
Here is Cumbernauld’s take on Newcastle’s “Angel of the North” a fine glistening sculpture by Andy Scott. It is conveniently located by the M80. Ideal for selfies or a drive-by viewing if you are in a hurry
Other Attractions to Check out in what’s it Called?
There are a few other things you can do in Cumbernauld if you are there for any length of time. Try these other attractions if you have the time:
- The Tannoch Stables – this horse-riding school give lessons, teach you about horses, and generally really like visitors. Pop in and say hi.
- The Dullatur Golf Club – since golf is one of our favourite national pastimes, you should go along and play for a day.
- Cumbernauld Theatre – go catch a show, there is usually something on in this reasonably sized auditorium space.
Fancy Visiting Cumbernauld
And why wouldn’t you! Well, you are in luck as it’s pretty easy to get to.
By Road
Head for the M80 and you can’t miss it.
By Train
The Town has a Train Station on the Cumbernauld Line – no surprise there! There are frequent services between both Glasgow & Edinburgh so head to either of them first.
By Air
Glasgow International is the nearest
Enjoy our Guide?
If you enjoyed this five-minute guide then you will probably enjoy some of the other, better, ones that we have on-site. Check out more destinations with Five Minutes Spare… Time spent with us is never time wasted.
