Forgotten Towns

Series 10 Episode 10 - CAMBUSLANG (# 980 Visited 24/02/2025)

Lanarkshire, Scotland : Population 29,100 (Rank # 366)

We give the Scottish government a bloody nose but fail to impress Midge Ure during this farewell to Lanarkshire.

MUSIC

Moscow - Orange Juice

Vienna - Ultravox

THANKS

Scotrail

The staff of The John Fairweather, Cambuslang

Visit the UK's 1,000 largest settlements with Alexander Rennie. For full details of both challenge and podcast, see https://forgottentowns.org

Series 10 Episode 9 - BLANTYRE (# 979 Visited 24/02/2025)

Lanarkshire, Scotland : Population 16,900 (Rank # 611)

As the rhetorical question has it, who shall explore the birthplace of the explorer himself? The answer: me.

MUSIC

Moscow - Orange Juice

Loaded - Primal Scream

A Horse With No Name - America

The Quiet Man O' Lanarkshire - Alexander Brothers

Walk Like A Panther - The All Seeing I (ft. Tony Christie)

THANKS

First Bus

Visit the UK's 1,000 largest settlements with Alexander Rennie. For full details of both challenge and podcast, see https://forgottentowns.org

Series 10 Episode 8 - EAST KILBRIDE (# 978 Visited 24/02/2025)

Lanarkshire, Scotland : Population 75,120 (Rank # 122)

We chart the development of our largest previously unvisited town via the music of habitually underappreciated local band, The Jesus & Mary Chain.

MUSIC

Deep One Perfect Morning - The Jesus & Mary Chain

April Skies - The Jesus & Mary Chain

Happy When It Rains - The Jesus & Mary Chain

Halfway To Crazy - The Jesus & Mary Chain

Just Like Honey - The Jesus & Mary Chain

Something's Wrong - The Jesus & Mary Chain

Vegetable Man - The Jesus & Mary Chain (orig. Pink Floyd)

Surfin' USA - The Jesus & Mary Chain (orig. The Beach Boys)

THANKS

First Bus

The staff of Hudsons, East Kilbride

Visit the UK's 1,000 largest settlements with Alexander Rennie. For full details of both challenge and podcast, see https://forgottentowns.org

Series 10 Episode 7 - HAMILTON (# 977 Visited 24/02/2025)

Lanarkshire, Scotland : Population 54,080 (Rank # 179)

Forget Lewis or Alexander. This is the original Hamilton. But is it the best? Take five minutes listening to find out.

MUSIC

Moscow - Orange Juice

Tiptoe Through The Tulips - Tiny Tim

A Horse With No Name - America

The Quiet Man O' Lanarkshire - Alexander Brothers

Pawn Shops And A Liquor Store - The Vegabonds

The Darlings Of Lumberland - They Might Be Giants

THANKS

Scotrail

Visit the UK's 1,000 largest settlements with Alexander Rennie. For full details of both challenge and podcast, see https://forgottentowns.org

Series 10 Episode 6 - LARKHALL (# 976 Visited 24/02/2025)

Lanarkshire, Scotland : Population 14,740 (Rank # 690)

We head to the terminus of the Argyle Line to get outside a 'full Scottish' and inspect a tall crumbling viaduct.

MUSIC

Moscow - Orange Juice

A Horse With No Name - America

The Quiet Man o'Lanarkshire - Alexander Brothers

THANKS

The staff of The Laverockha

Visit the UK's 1,000 largest settlements with Alexander Rennie. For full details of both challenge and podcast, see https://forgottentowns.org

Series 10 Episode 5 - VIEWPARK (# 975 Visited 22/02/2025)

Lanarkshire, Scotland : Population 15,770 (Rank # 648)

It may not be one of the smallest towns, but Viewpark is probably one of the more anonymous. We attempt to get an insight... before actually getting a taxi.

MUSIC

Hit & Miss - The John Barry Seven

A Horse With No Name - America

Joe Le Taxi - Vanessa Paradis

THANKS

A1 Radio Cars

Visit the UK's 1,000 largest settlements with Alexander Rennie. For full details of both challenge and podcast, see https://forgottentowns.org

Series 10 Episode 4 - BELLSHILL (# 973 Visited 22/02/2025)Lanarkshire, Scotland : Population 20,290 (Rank # 524)Forget New York and London; this Lanarkshire town punches way above its weight in the music department. Your pop correspondent reports.MUSICIs It Music? - Teenage FanclubU Got The Look - Prince & Sheena EastonA Horse With No Name - AmericaThe Quiet Man O' Lanarkshire - The Alexander BrothersTHANKSScotrailVisit the UK's 1,000 largest settlements with Alexander Rennie. For full details of both challenge and podcast, see https://forgottentowns.org

Series 10 Episode 3 - WISHAW (# 972 Visited 22/02/2025)

Lanarkshire, Scotland : Population 30,290 (Rank # 352)

Scotland slide towards Calcutta Cup defeat whilst bar room conversation takes a distinctly morbid turn.

MUSIC

Hit & Miss - The John Barry Seven

A Horse With No Name - America

The Quiet Man O' Lanarkshire - The Alexander Brothers

THANKS

Scotrail

Big Davey

The staff of The Imperial Bar, Wishaw

Visit the UK's 1,000 largest settlements with Alexander Rennie. For full details of both challenge and podcast, see https://forgottentowns.org

Series 10 Episode 2 - CARLUKE (# 972 Visited 22/02/2025)

Lanarkshire, Scotland : Population 13,320 (Rank # 758)

We map the good and the bad of Carluke via questionable beer choices in the quietest available local bar.

MUSIC

Hit & Miss - The John Barry Seven

A Horse With No Name - America

The Quiet Man O' Lanarkshire - The Alexander Brothers

THANKS

Scotrail

M A Bicknell

The staff of The Kirkton Inn, Carluke

Visit the UK's 1,000 largest settlements with Alexander Rennie. For full details of both challenge and podcast, see https://forgottentowns.org

Series 10 Episode 1 - LANARK (# 971 Visited 22/02/2025)

Lanarkshire, Scotland : Population 9,050 (Rank # 989)

Season 10 eventually gets out of the blocks after a false start with a visit to the ancestral home of the co-operative movement.

MUSIC

Hit & Miss - The John Barry Seven

A Horse With No Name - America

The Quiet Man O' Lanarkshire - The Alexander Brothers

THANKS

Caledonian Sleeper

Avanti West Coast

Scotrail

M A Bicknell

The staff of New Lanark Visitor Centre

Visit the UK's 1,000 largest settlements with Alexander Rennie. For full details of both challenge and podcast, see https://forgottentowns.org