Imagine a scene straight out of a spine-chilling Hollywood movie, but this isn’t some fictional doomsday set. This eerie sight is real and right here in Scotland. Welcome to Clune Park, a nearly abandoned place in Port Glasgow, just a short 30-minute drive from bustling Glasgow. Once a thriving hub for shipbuilders, complete with its own school and church, it now stands largely deserted, haunted by acts of antisocial behavior and vandalism.
Clune Park was once alive with activity, housing hundreds of residents in its 430 flats spread across 45 four-story tenement buildings. At its zenith, it had one of Scotland’s highest population densities, driven by the shipbuilding industry. However, as the shipbuilding trade faded, so did the estate’s vibrancy. The church shut its doors in 1997, and the school followed suit in 2008.
Yet, even in its abandonment, Clune Park serves as a poignant reminder of days gone by. The Urbandoned team likened it to a “Scottish Chernobyl.” This ghost town with its school, church, shops, and countless flats stands as a relic of history, a place that was once bustling with life. Unfortunately, it now sits largely abandoned, a testament to time’s passage and the challenges faced by the community.
One explorer, Kyle Urbex, who ventured into Clune Park last year, shared his impressions. He remarked, “What struck me most was that while most of the flats were deserted and in ruins, some still had signs of life, as if someone had left for the day and never returned. It’s both sad and surprising to see people continuing their daily routines near the estate, despite its dilapidated state.”
Efforts to rejuvenate Clune Park have been underway for more than a decade, but a significant step forward occurred in January when Inverclyde Council committed to using compulsory purchase orders. This marks the first phase of a two-part plan to create between 100 and 120 new homes, with the initial phase targeted for completion by 2027.
Council leader Stephen McCabe conveyed his optimism about the project to the Greenock Telegraph, saying, “I’m hopeful about the future redevelopment plans, though I recognize the considerable work that lies ahead. The council has always acknowledged Clune Park’s potential as a prime site, and revitalizing it into a new neighborhood would greatly benefit both Port Glasgow and Inverclyde. While the journey has been challenging and will continue to be so, our ambition remains strong.”
