Last Glimpse of 'Scotland's Chernobyl' Estate Before Demolition

A short film, 'Behind,' has captured the last visual records of the Clune Park Estate in Port Glasgow before its demolition in May 2026. This derelict housing estate, built a century ago for shipyard workers, had earned the nickname 'Scotland's Chernobyl' due to its state of disrepair.

Filmmaker Alessio Avezzano shot scenes for his self-funded, post-apocalyptic sci-fi horror comedy, 'Behind,' on the estate just before demolition began. Avezzano described the timing as "not a moment too soon," as demolition was announced on the day of filming. The redevelopment had been stalled for years, leaving many buildings empty with only a few remaining tenants.

The film's plot was inspired by the concept of accidentally butt-dialing someone, exploring its potentially devastating consequences as a symptom of something more deadly. Avezzano noted that the film incorporates themes of pandemic responses and modern addiction to phones and social media, presenting a "post-apocalyptic satire."

Clune Park provided an ideal, albeit eerie, backdrop for the short film. Notably, scenes for the 2013 film 'Under the Skin,' starring Scarlett Johansson, were also previously filmed at the estate. 'Behind' has since been showcased at international film festivals in Italy and Argentina and received accolades, including a nomination for best editing and a win for best international short.