Scotland's most dismal town award scrapped after Port Glasgow backlash

An award for Scotland’s most dismal town, given this year to Port Glasgow, has been scrapped after local backlash.

Following a hiatus, the Carbuncle Awards returned for 2025, with the Inverclyde town receiving the unwanted Plook on the Plinth trophy earlier this month.

The booby prize is awarded by magazine Urban Realm, which previously declared Aberdeen, Cumbernauld, Denny, and New Cumnock as some of the most dismal areas in the country.

However, the locals of Port Glasgow fought back and symbolically placed the trophy on top of a bin.

Plook on the Plinth trophy presented to Port Glasgow Supplied

The architecture magazine confirmed it has now retired the Plook on the Plinth.

Instead, Port Glasgow has been named the first winner of the new “Heart On Your Sleeve” award.

John Glenday, editor of Urban Realm, said: “Having been chased out of Port Glasgow last week, I was not expecting to return to Port Glasgow so soon, but I am delighted to be back.

“Fruitful conversations away from the cameras showed that while coming from very different starting points, we are both headed toward the same end, a better Port Glasgow.

“Just as adaptive re-use is the story of the town, so too can it be for the Plook on the Plinth and I am pleased to see the award evolve in response to local demand.

“Today, we can reveal what we have been keeping up our sleeves, a big heart to symbolise the passion displayed by those on the ground to remedy its squandered potential.”

‘Scotland’s Chernobyl’

The shipbuilding town on the banks of the River Clyde is home to more than 14,000 people, but in recent years, parts of it have been dubbed Scotland’s Chernobyl.

Clune Park, on the edge of the town, was given the unfortunate moniker due to its derelict buildings and abandoned state.

A major redevelopment is under way at the site, with an initial 138 properties across 15 tenement blocks to be demolished.

The town's Clune Park estate has been dubbed 'Scotland's Chernobyl' — The town’s Clune Park estate has been dubbed ‘Scotland’s Chernobyl’ STV News

‘Port Glasgow has grit’

TV presenter Jean Johansson, who grew up in the town, insisted Port Glasgow is far from dismal and has a lot to offer visitors.

She told STV News earlier this month: “Being from Port Glasgow is an intrinsic and fundamental part of who I am as a person, part of everything I’ve achieved.

“There’s a grit and a sense of community that I grew up with, which has served me so well in my career.

TV presenter Jean Johansson, who grew up in the town, insists Port Glasgow is far from dismal and has a lot to offer visitors. STV News

“The people in Inverclyde are the nicest you’ll meet. From an architectural point of view, that town has a lot to offer with places like Newark Castle, the Ropeworks and the sculptures.

“We are next in line for regeneration, putting the love back into the area.

“I want to walk whoever did these awards around the port and meet some people, have a look at all the buildings.

“I’m biased, but standing back and looking at the waterfront with the sculptures lit up at night…there’s nothing dismal about that.

“The thing that makes it not dismal at all is the community spirit.”