Motherwell, United Kingdom

Capital City

With a population of around 32,590, Motherwell is a former industrial hub in North Lanarkshire, Scotland that has struggled to recover from the collapse of its steel industry. The town's legacy as the "Steelopolis" of Scotland has left a heavy bureaucratic burden, with North Lanarkshire Council now headquartered here overseeing a sprawling region of 327,000 people. While the area has tried to pivot to service jobs and tourism, the lingering impact of deindustrialization means Motherwell remains a challenging place to put down roots.