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Welcome to East Kilbride

Welcome to East Kilbride, Scotland’s first new town and a thriving community known for its strong local economy and modern living. With a rich history, excellent transport links, and a wide range of employment opportunities across retail, manufacturing, technology, and services, East Kilbride is a great place to live, work, and build a successful career.

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History of East Kilbride

From Farmland to Steelworks

Before the steelworks arrived, the area that would become Ravenscraig was largely open countryside, with farms, fields, and small rural settlements. Life was quiet and shaped by agriculture and local communities. This changed dramatically in the 1950s when the site was chosen for a new, state-of-the-art integrated steelworks. Construction began in 1954, rapidly transforming the landscape as industrial buildings and infrastructure replaced farmland. The development created thousands of new jobs, attracting workers from across central Scotland. Nearby towns expanded as families moved in, and Ravenscraig soon became a major industrial centre, providing stable employment and shaping the region’s economic and social identity.

Steel Powerhouse

When the plant opened in 1957, Ravenscraig quickly became one of Europe’s most advanced and productive steel facilities. Its vast hot-strip mill, coke ovens, and towering blast furnaces operated around the clock, producing millions of tonnes of steel each year. At its peak, the steelworks employed around 10,000 people directly, while thousands more relied on related jobs in transport, contracting, and local businesses. Entire communities developed around shift patterns and secure wages, with daily life shaped by the rhythms of the plant. Ravenscraig came to symbolise Scottish industrial strength, economic stability, and pride in heavy industry.

A Community Built on Steel

The steelworks shaped daily life across Motherwell, Wishaw, and the wider region. Families often had several generations working at Ravenscraig, passing down skills, traditions, and a strong shared sense of pride. Shifts dictated routines, holidays, and social life, while steady wages supported homes, shops, and local services. At night, the orange glow of the furnaces lit the sky, visible for miles around. By day, the constant sound of industry echoed across the landscape, a reminder of the workforce powering the plant. Together, these sights and sounds symbolised the role Ravenscraig played in supplying steel to Scotland’s factories, shipyards, and infrastructure.

Closure and Transformation

The closure of Ravenscraig in 1992 brought an abrupt end to thousands of jobs, dealing a heavy blow to the local economy and the communities that depended on the steelworks. Many workers faced unemployment, uncertainty, and the loss of an industry that had defined their identity for generations. Shops and businesses suffered as spending declined, and community morale was deeply affected. In 1996, the demolition of the iconic cooling towers marked the final chapter of Ravenscraig’s physical presence on the skyline. Their destruction was a powerful and emotional moment, symbolising not only the end of steelmaking, but the close of an era in Scotland’s industrial history.

Today

Today, the Ravenscraig site is undergoing a remarkable transformation. Modern housing developments, sports facilities, educational centres, and new businesses are emerging where blast furnaces and steel mills once dominated the landscape. Carefully planned regeneration has reimagined the area as a place to live, work, and learn, serving a new generation of residents. While the heavy industry has gone, the legacy of the steelworks remains an important part of local identity. Ravenscraig now stands as a powerful symbol of renewal, balancing respect for its industrial heritage with ambition and opportunity, and shaping a positive future for Lanarkshire and the surrounding communities.

Jobs

While the steelworks is gone, Ravenscraig today reflects a growing and evolving community. New businesses are opening, educational centres are providing learning and skills development, and ongoing development projects are reshaping the area. These initiatives are creating fresh opportunities for employment, entrepreneurship, and community engagement, attracting people from across Lanarkshire and beyond. The focus has shifted from heavy industry to innovation, services, and modern infrastructure, while still acknowledging the site’s industrial heritage. Ravenscraig’s recruitment and activity now highlight a region in renewal, where economic growth, education, and community development combine to offer a positive vision for the future.

Early Origins and Parish Roots

East Kilbride began as a rural parish known as Kilbride, meaning “Church of St Bride.” The area was dominated by farming, small crafts, and religious life, with most people living and working locally in agriculture and cottage industries.

Rural Villages and Early Employment

During the 19th century, East Kilbride remained largely rural, but small villages and estates supported jobs in weaving, quarrying, and farming. These early forms of employment laid the foundations for the area’s future workforce and community growth.

Scotland’s First New Town

In 1947, East Kilbride was designated Scotland’s first New Town, a major milestone in its history. The aim was to create new housing and employment opportunities to relieve overcrowding in Glasgow, leading to a rapid expansion in population and the creation of new industries.

Planned Communities and Workforce Growth

The town was carefully planned into neighbourhoods with homes, schools, shops, and green spaces. This period saw a surge in East Kilbride jobs, as new residents moved into the area and local employment became central to the town’s design.

Industrial and Commercial Expansion

East Kilbride developed into a key industrial and business centre, attracting companies in engineering, electronics, and manufacturing. The opening of the East Kilbride Shopping Centre also created significant retail and service-sector employment.

Employment Opportunities

Today, East Kilbride continues to evolve with regeneration projects, business parks, and modern infrastructure. The town offers a wide range of employment opportunities across retail, technology, manufacturing, and services, making East Kilbride Jobs an important part of the area’s ongoing growth and identity.

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News & Blog

East Kilbride’s Town Centre Transformation: A New Heart for Scotland’s First New Town

East Kilbride — Scotland’s first new town — is on the brink of one of the...