Bruce House, Buchan House and Douglas House had towered over Seafar since the 1960s but were brought down in less than a month.

A super high-reach excavator reduced each Allanfauld Road block to rubble by picking them apart. Social housing provider Sanctuary Cumbernauld had hoped to implode the blocks but this was ruled out for technical reasons.

Gordon Laurie, director – Sanctuary in Scotland, said: “The demolition of these blocks is a hugely symbolic development in the improvement of Cumbernauld’s social housing.

“From the rubble we will build 111 warm, attractive homes for high-rise residents elsewhere in the town.

“These properties will provide the same home comforts enjoyed in nearby Newlands Place by former Bruce House, Buchan House and Douglas House residents.

“Sanctuary is committed to replacing all 12 of Cumbernauld’s damp and draughty high-rise blocks with attractive, energy-efficient homes.”

Sanctuary’s £75 million regeneration programme is progressing in partnership with residents, North Lanarkshire Council and the Scottish Government. The demolished blocks will be cleared in the coming months, allowing construction work to begin early next year. The rubble at Allanfauld Road will be crushed and treated before being used to level the site. The regeneration programme’s final homes, at Hume Road in Seafar, are due to be completed by 2020.

Cllr Sam Love, North Lanarkshire Council’s convener of housing & social work services, said: “This is another exciting step in the regeneration of housing in Cumbernauld.

“These Seafar towers were well known local landmarks and will hold fond memories for many who stayed in them over the years, but they were in desperate need of replacing.

“The council is delighted to be supporting Sanctuary’s plans and I’m sure the people of Cumbernauld will be looking forward to the new homes being built.”

www.sanctuary-cumbernauld.co.uk