A ONCE notorious area of Glasgow is in the running to be crowned Scotland's Best Place.

The New Gorbals is up against top landmarks including Loch Lomond, the West Highland Way and the Merchant City area of the city, and the Royal Mile, in a bid to be named Scotland's Best Place, it emerged yesterday.

From the late 19th century the original area, consisting of tenement lined streets, became a byword for poverty, health problems and other social ills.

However, the local Crown Street regeneration project created by architects CZWG was feted as a modern take on the original style of the area which has fostered a sense of community among its residents.

The Royal Town Planning Institute Scotland (RTPI), working with consultancy Barton Willmore and the Scottish Government has identified Scotland's best places as part of their 2014 centenary celebrations.

Crown Street Regeneration Project was set up in 1990 for the second phase of a redevelopment. The neighbourhood includes more than 1270 private homes, 600 socially rented homes and 80 student flats.

Local councillor Mhairi Hunter said: "I'm not surprised that the Gorbals is part of this list - it is a bit of a hidden gem in Glasgow. It has a strong sense of community and can feel like a village when you are walking around it. The whole regeneration of what's now called the New Gorbals is fantastic."

Also in the running are the Forth and Clyde Canal, East Kilbride, Dundee Water-front and Lerwick Waterfront in Shetland.

The shortlist emerged after the public were invited to come up with ideas. The closing date to vote is May 7.