Scotland's first New Town

East Kilbride was Scotland’s first New town (1947-1996).

Princes car park

Similar to other New Towns (Cumbernauld, Glenrothes, Irvine, Livingston), it has many roundabouts; it gets referred to locally as “Polo Mint City” for this reason – see also the song by Scottish band Texas.  When I first tried driving to my wife’s house from Glasgow, I had to go straight through 13 roundabouts before turning left into her road.

In 1793, Kilbride (“East” was only added later) had one street and two lanes.  Right up until the end of World War I its butter was in great demand, made up into round pats and sold stamped with the Kilbride thistle.

The extension of the Glasgow to Busby railway line to East Kilbride was completed in 1868.  The village close to the station remains a conservation area – The Montgomery Arms (“the Monty”) was built in 1719, the existing Old Parish Church next door dates to 1774. A church has stood here for at least a 1000 years, Catholic until 1560.

The oldest building in East Kilbride is Rosemound house, from 17th century, just over the road from the bus station.

East Kilbride Development Corporation

The East Kilbride Development Corporation, chaired by Sir Patrick Dollan, was responsible for the development of the new town of East Kilbride. It was established in 1947 and wound up in 1996.

The need for New Towns was the condition of traditional tenements in Glasgow.

Tenements had become overcrowded. Families mostly had only 1 or 2 rooms to live in. Toilets were usually outside and shared by all in the close (perhaps 30 people).

Besides being responsible for the construction of East Kilbride, it was also tasked with attracting inhabitants and businesses to the new town. In the first 10 years of ‘New Town’ East Kilbride, the Corporation directed the building of 11 factories, 5000 houses, 50 shops, five schools and seven churches. By 1969, the 17,000th family moved into the town.