996 - Barrhead

Series 12 Episode 11 - LARGS (# 1,000 Visited 25/08/2025)Renfrewshire, Scotland : Population 11,260 (Rank # 858)The show that sees us reach the end of the trail: Will your narrator escape with sobriety or dignity? Will he be bludgeoned by his AI sidekick? All will be revealed in this feature-length final episode.MUSICSo You'll Aim Toward the Sky - GrandaddyWe've Been Everywhere - Forgotten Towns ft. PatriciaBye Bye - The CleanTHANKSThe priorietor and patrons of Broome Lodge, LargsThe staff and patrons of Sharp's Bar, LargsThe staff and patrons of The Three Reasons, LargsThe staff and patrons of The Paddle Steamer, LargsCaledonian MacBrayneVisit the UK's 1,000 largest settlements with Alexander Rennie. For full details of both challenge and podcast, see ⁠https://forgottentowns.org

Series 12 Episode 10 - GOUROCK (# 999 Visited 25/08/2025)Renfrewshire, Scotland : Population 10,350 (Rank # 909)An emergency episode of '999' heralds the 999th town on our list.MUSIC999 BBC1 Theme Tune - Roger BoltonI Can See For Miles - The WhoTHANKSMichael BuerkThe staff of Cleats Bar, GourockThe Buildings of Scotland (Lanarkshire & Renfrewshire) - Pevsner, N. et alVisit the UK's 1,000 largest settlements with Alexander Rennie. For full details of both challenge and podcast, see https://forgottentowns.org

Series 12 Episode 9 - GREENOCK (# 998 Visited 25/08/2025)Renfrewshire, Scotland : Population 42,680 (Rank # 249)Our antepenultimate excursion takes us 'doon the watter' to Sugaropolis.MUSICMusic Box Dancer - Frank MillsThis Town - The Go-Go'sThe Last Farewell - Roger WhittakerDurham Town (The Leavin') - Roger WhittakerTHANKSThe Buildings of Scotland (Lanarkshire & Renfrewshire) - Pevsner, N. et alVisit the UK's 1,000 largest settlements with Alexander Rennie. For full details of both challenge and podcast, see https://forgottentowns.org

Series 12 Episode 8 - PORT GLASGOW (# 997 Visited 25/08/2025)Renfrewshire, Scotland : Population 14,620 (Rank # 697)Get yourself filled in on Port Glasgow's shipbuilding as we go diving for pearls of wisdom.MUSICMusic Box Dancer - Frank MillsShipbuilding - Robert WyattTHANKSThe Buildings of Scotland (Lanarkshire & Renfrewshire) - Pevsner, N. et alVisit the UK's 1,000 largest settlements with Alexander Rennie. For full details of both challenge and podcast, see https://forgottentowns.org

Series 12 Episode 7 - BARRHEAD (# 996 Visited 25/08/2025)Renfrewshire, Scotland : Population 17,610 (Rank # 592)Save your thankses; we're flushing out Shanks's... and other elements of Barrhead's industrial past.MUSICMusic Box Dancer - Frank MillsCarry On At Your Convenience (Opening Theme) - Eric RogersDurham Town (The Leavin') - Roger WhittakerTHANKSThe Buildings of Scotland (Lanarkshire & Renfrewshire) - Pevsner, N. et alVisit the UK's 1,000 largest settlements with Alexander Rennie. For full details of both challenge and podcast, see https://forgottentowns.org

Series 12 Episode 6 - NEWTON MEARNS (# 995 Visited 25/08/2025)Renfrewshire, Scotland : Population 26,600 (Rank # 401)Bagpiping suburban fact into travelogue fiction.MUSICMusic Box Dancer - Frank MillsScotland The Brave - The Auld Town Band & PipesTHANKSThe Buildings of Scotland (Lanarkshire & Renfrewshire) - Pevsner, N. et alF EdgarVisit the UK's 1,000 largest settlements with Alexander Rennie. For full details of both challenge and podcast, see https://forgottentowns.org

Series 12 Episode 5 - BONHILL (# 994 Visited 24/08/2025)Dunbartonshire, Scotland : Population 9,050 (Rank # 988)Is the Leven going to get us down, or will we distract ourselves with the not-so-great library of Alexandria? The first half of the final season winds up in Dunbartonshire.MUSICHeartsong - Gordon GiltrapDear Catastrophe Waitress - Belle & SebastianDurham Town (The Leavin') - Roger WhittakerVisit the UK's 1,000 largest settlements with Alexander Rennie. For full details of both challenge and podcast, see https://forgottentowns.org

Series 12 Episode 4 - ERSKINE (# 993 Visited 24/08/2025)Renfrewshire, Scotland : Population 15,510 (Rank # 658)The one where we pay tribute to the late Anne Gregg, for no obvious reason.MUSICHeartsong - Gordon GiltrapGet On Up - James BrownThe Last Farewell - Roger WhittakerDurham Town (The Leavin') - Roger WhittakerTHANKSAnne Gregg (1940-2006)BBC Holiday 89 (Episode 11 - 16/03/1989)The staff of Spar, ErskineThe Buildings of Scotland (Lanarkshire & Renfrewshire) - Pevsner, N. et alVisit the UK's 1,000 largest settlements with Alexander Rennie. For full details of both challenge and podcast, see https://forgottentowns.org

Series 12 Episode 3 - JOHNSTONE (# 992 Visited 23/08/2025)Renfrewshire, Scotland : Population 16,090 (Rank # 639)What local lad Gordon Ramsay might've made of my black pudding supper is anyone's guess and, as he'd probably have peppered Callum's karaoke with profanity, it's just as well we didn't invite him.MUSICHeartsong - Gordon GiltrapSmalltown Boy - S3 Klassiker (orig. Bronski Beat)I Am A Cider Drinker - The Wurzels (orig.)Forever In Blue Jeans - Neil Diamond (orig.)Some Girls - Racey (orig.)This Town - The Go-Go'sThe Last Farewell - Roger WhittakerDurham Town (The Leavin') - Roger WhittakerTHANKSThe staff of Sandro's, JohnstoneThe staff and patrons of Callum's Bar & Kitchen, JohnstoneThe Buildings of Scotland (Lanarkshire & Renfrewshire) - Pevsner, N. et alVisit the UK's 1,000 largest settlements with Alexander Rennie. For full details of both challenge and podcast, see https://forgottentowns.org

Series 12 Episode 2 - GIFFNOCK (# 991 Visited 23/08/2025)Renfrewshire, Scotland : Population 12,300 (Rank # 802)Don't panic! My AI companion makes an unexpected return to the fray, but Giffnock has coped with worse in the past.MUSICHeartsong - Gordon GiltrapPanic - The SmithsThe Last Farewell - Roger WhittakerDurham Town (The Leavin') - Roger WhittakerTHANKSThe staff of the Giffnock CafeThe Buildings of Scotland (Lanarkshire & Renfrewshire) - Pevsner, N. et alVisit the UK's 1,000 largest settlements with Alexander Rennie. For full details of both challenge and podcast, see https://forgottentowns.org