The first World Cup was hosted by Uruguay in 1930. This tournament was the first without qualification with countries affiliated with FIFA being invited to compete. At the time of the event an economic depression was taking place in Europe. The travel expenses hindered some teams and many of the European players were reluctant to leave their countries on a long trip, afraid that they would lose their jobs. This was long before it became normal for football players to earn a living from playing. The hosts Uruguay went on to win beating Argentina in the final 4-2.

Below is article describing the final which was attended by a crowd of 100,000. Twenty special trains brought thousands and fleets of aeroplanes brought spectators from remote towns to Monte Video. All the shops and businesses were closed and among the early arrivals were fifty Members of Parliament.

The first World Cup in 12 years due to World War Two, was held in Brazil in 1950. Unlike this year’s tournament, only 13 teams competed.

Back then, the winners of the British International Championships (played by England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales) qualified for the World Cup. Scotland’s Football Chairman had announced earlier that Scotland would only participate if they won the Championship. They came second to England who topped the table.

Attempts were made to allow Scotland to attend Rio, but they held firm and were withdrawn from the tournament. There were other withdrawals for various reasons, including India who withdrew because FIFA wouldn’t let them play in bare feet.

Ahead of the forthcoming tournament some of the England team faced the press and were photographed during training. The English national team met the United States in the group stages and suffered a shock 1-0 defeat. The game has gone down in football history and has a rather interesting urban myth attached to it. Many say that English newspapers reported a 10-1 win, assuming that there had been a typing error in the message they received.

Scotland made their World Cup debut in 1954. Back then we had the confidence our team could make it. The Dundee Courier had the headline “Scots just the boys to upset Uruguay” but… we were thumped 7-0! Two of the 13 man squad would themselves go on to manage the National team, Tommy Docherty and Willie Ormond.

What about Wales and Northern Ireland? In 1958 with Northern Ireland and Wales making their debut, and England and Scotland also qualifying, this World Cup is the only one to date to feature all four of the United Kingdom’s home nations. Wales have qualified only once more in 2022, and Northern Ireland a further two times in 1982 and 1986.

The summer of ’66… well, we all know what happened then – England lost the World Cup – and a wee dog called Pickles found it…

The Football Association (FA) were in possession of the Jules Rimet Trophy, as the Cup had been known since 1946, from January 1966 in preparation for the tournament scheduled to take place in England in July. It was put on display at the Central Hall in Westminster. On 20 March, a thief somehow evaded six security guards, removed a padlock, prised open the cabinet and stole the cup in broad daylight. Police went on the hunt for a man in his late 30s ‘with dark eyes who might also have a scar on his face’.

26-year-old Thames lighterman David Corbett set out from his home on Beulah Hill, Upper Norwood completely oblivious that his dog, Pickles, was about to become an international celebrity. Pickles began sniffing at a curious package under a laurel bush. “I tore the paper off and saw a black base,” Corbett later told the press, “I tore the top off and saw gold. That’s how Pickles — bless him — and I found the World Cup.”

England went on to win the 1966 World Cup beating West Germany 4-2 after extra time.

60 years later and with Scotland qualifying for the World Cup in the first time for 28 years, hopes were high. For a few months the whole nation were at one with “Scotland’s Tartan Army”. Alas it was not to be. There’s always 2030…

As for England… it very nearly came home.

Follow all the historical news and sport stories via the British Newspaper Archive.

We’ve posed a series of questions about reading habits and discoveries and asked contributors to get involved by sharing their responses.

Today, Aynsley from Oxgangs Library takes the challenge –

What do you like to read? News, magazines, books, audio books, articles, essays, blogs…
These days I tend to read more non-fiction, I find it easier to dip in and out of a good title when things get busy.

Has reading helped you learn a new skill?
Yes, driving! I’ve used Theory Test Pro from Edinburgh Libraries’ eresources and borrowed a book copy of ‘The official DVSA guide to driving: the essential skills’.

Tell us about a book or a story that stayed with you from childhood?
Stig of the Dump by Clive King. I think it perfectly captures the feeling of adventure and wistfulness when kids make a new friend on holiday and then have to leave them behind and go back home.

Where or when do you most enjoy reading?
Middle of the afternoon, these days. I used to stay up all night knocking out chapters but that’s not conducive to also making it into work next morning.

Is there a type of reading you’ve come back to as an adult or discovered recently?
Yes, social and political history. I think I’m trying to make sense of where our modern society is heading to.

What book would you give as a gift to everyone?
The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton – I read this for the first time at 14, which is pretty much the perfect age to read it, I think. Thoughtful themes around friendship, family loyalty and role models.

Look out for further articles in this series as we share how colleagues and library members Go All In for reading.

We also have lots of lists of reading suggestions you can browse to find award shortlisted books, readalikes and themed collections. See something you like? Simply click to reserve it and request to pick it up from your local library!

Go home Birdie Brown by Laura Blake – general fiction
Birdie Brown has built a thriving life for herself in London since she arrived as a little girl, now she is surrounded by her large and varied family. She happily spends her days at bingo, babysitting, and watching TV with her granddaughter. But one day a letter arrives from the Home Office demanding that she return to Jamaica. Birdie has come too far and built too much to go without a fight.

Love Galaxy by Sierra Branham – science fiction/romance
Temmi can’t believe her luck when she lands a spot on Love Galaxy, the hottest dating show starring the brother and sister heirs to the galactic empire. It is a far-cry from her usual day to day working as a trash collector. Bookish Temmi has been chosen as a match for the prince, but why can’t she take her eyes off princess Spie? Everything is thrown into chaos when contestants start turning up dead…

The Racing Line by Kelly Frost – general fiction
It’s 1945, and the end of the war signals the end to Winifred ‘Freddy’ Vaux’s career as a military driver. But speeding through the war battered streets one last time – she resolves that she can’t give it up, she must become a race car driver. She sets out to achieve what no woman has done before. But living at such a fast pace means that friends, lovers, and family can all be lost in an instant.

The Murder Machine by Heather Graham – crime/thriller
How do you catch a murderer who doesn’t leave any fingerprint, and isn’t human? FBI agent Jude Mackenzie has been tasked with working out how a woman was murdered by her AI ultra-modern home, where every appliance is humming with artificial life. But this isn’t a one-off incident, and Jude is horrified when more grisly murders are discovered…

Livonia chow mein: a novel by Abigail Savitch-Lew – general fiction
In 1978 two tenement buildings are burnt down. Survivors of the fire are convinced that Mr. Wong was the arsonist. But the motive remains unclear, and no one has been brough to justice. The violent crime brings four generations of the Wong family into the spotlight as journalist Sadie works to unravel the mystery.

Blood Caste by Shylashri Shankar – crime
Is Jack the Ripper at large on the streets of Victorian India? It’s 1895 and three bodies have been discovered in Hyderabad, bearing striking similarities to Jack the Ripper’s victims. There are three prime suspects for the crime: a Russian grand Duke, an English Earl and a Deccani noble. Can one of these powerful men be the culprit? Chief Inspector Soob stumbles into the intricate web of power cast by the British Empire as he accuses relatives of Queen Victoria.

It might never happen by Emily Slapper – romance/fiction
Noa is desperate to be loved. It is what she cares about most in the world – more than her friends and family and more than having a successful career. Elliot is terrified every day of his life. Afraid of what will happen to his brother without him, of being ‘found out’ as a fraud by his friends, and afraid the girl he loves will realise he isn’t a real person. Is it possible to find love if you can’t love yourself?

The starving saints by Caitlin Starling – horror
Aymar Castle has been under siege for six months, and just as supplies have finally run out the castle stores are magically replenished and the sick healed. The Constant Lady and her Saints have arrived. It’s not long before the castle descends into madness, as the people are gripped by adoration for their saviours. But the endless feasts have a terrible origin…

New Skin by Sarah Wang
Linli returns home to LA after three years, and is shocked to find her mother unrecognisable. She has spent the last few years in the grip of as strange addiction: getting endless bargain cosmetic procedures in the pursuit of perfection. Now her mum reveals that she has landed a spot on America’s Beauty Extreme, a competitive reality show that gives people with botched plastic surgery the chance to compete for reconstructive surgery.

House of the Beast by Michelle Wong – fantasy
A dark coming of age tale. Born out of wedlock, Alma is a misfit. She lives happily alone with only her mother for company. But when her mother is struck by a mystery illness she is forced to seek out her father. She discovers that he is a vessel of the Dread Beast, a harbinger of death, and that she is descended from one of the four noble families. How far is she willing to go to save her mother and get vengeance for the way that they have been treated?

Find your next favourite read, whether in print, ebook or audiobook, via the library catalogue.

Steuart’s paintings dated between c1885 and 1936, range from street scenes to landscape views overlooking the city. The landscapes give a window into a more pastoral pace of life on the outskirts. Many are from the 1920s giving us a fantastic perspective on Edinburgh around a century ago.

However, it took us a little while to find out more about the artist, James Steuart, and consequently, if we’d be able to make his wonderful paintings available to view online.

We tried searching Ancestry and other genealogical databases to see if we could find official records for him. Although, the less typical spelling of his last name should have helped, we had no further information to corroborate any records we found. As we had suspected, it was later confirmed that Steuart was an amateur artist, and so, there was no corresponding artistic occupation to find in the records.

In the Art and Design Library, we found him listed in the Dictionary of Scottish Art and Architecture by Peter J. M. McEwan, but with only active dates, rather than life dates – i.e. Steuart, James fl. 1877 to 1900. From this entry we learnt that he’d exhibited at the Royal Scottish Academy and also the Royal Society of Painters in Water Colours and was listed with an Edinburgh address. Most helpfully, it named him as the author of two books, ‘Sketching in Watercolours’ and ‘Sketching Ways and Sketching Days’.

A breakthrough came with a visit to the National Library of Scotland to consult both of James Steuart’s books. We’d hoped for perhaps a short biography of the artist contained within the introduction or inside the book cover.

‘Sketching in Water-Colours, A book for amateurs by an amateur’ didn’t give us much to go on. On page 11, we’re told that the author had “sketched since he was a boy with little professional teaching” but there was little further autobiographical detail.

However, ‘Sketching Ways and Sketching Days’ was scattered with personal details, some which provided the evidence we were looking for and others which provided a picture of the man we hadn’t expected to discover. Steuart described his occupation:

“Professionally I am a W. S. – that is not a Water-Colour Society, but a Writer to the Signet (or in other words, a Solicitor, with a Scottish accent) – my forebears having followed the legal profession since about 1650.”

Finally, we were learning more about our mystery artist, and from the man himself! He detailed some of his other interests and achievements:

“have laboured in a garden since my early days; have made unholy noises on a double-bass fiddle; have written antiquarian and other articles; have used my hands in carpentry; have collected and retailed a vast number of Scottish stories; have studied French; have passed the War years (being past the age for active service) as the head of a considerable force of the Special Constabulary, as well as carrying on my ordinary business with a depleted staff”.

His writing in the book also references a wife and daughter. These extra clues allowed us to go back to the official records and confirm census listings for the family and also a marriage certificate for James and his wife, Agatha.

Finding articles in the British Newspaper Archive, we learnt that James Steuart died in 1938 in London and a memorial service was held at St Paul’s and St George’s Church at York Place in Edinburgh. James, Agatha and their daughter, Sylvia are all commemorated on the family gravestone in Greyfriars Kirkyard.

So although, following the family business, “naturally absorbed the most of my busy life” he enjoyed escaping to Edinburgh’s best vantage points to spend time capturing the scene with his watercolours –

“when one had spent the week at the desk, one was wont, when opportunity occurred to escape to the surrounding district [of Edinburgh] – and what a wealth of pictures that district affords”.

Explore these wonderful watercolours of Edinburgh in the Capital Collections exhibition, James Steuart’s sketching days.

We’ve posed a series of questions about reading habits and discoveries and asked contributors to get involved by sharing their responses.

Thanks to Lesley from the City of Edinburgh Council’s Estates department for providing her answers –

What do you like to read? News, magazines, books, audio books, articles, essays, blogs…
I mostly read autobiographies – not really of famous people but of those who have had amazing adventures or really interesting lives. I also listen to them as audiobooks.

Has reading helped you learn a new skill?
I’m really into trail running and have been reading books about nutrition and staying injury free as you get older recently. I tend to obsessively research whatever I’m keen on at a given time.

Tell us about a book or a story that stayed with you from childhood?
I have lots of books that I remember fondly from childhood but Enid Blyton’s The Secret Island has a special place in my heart.

Where or when do you most enjoy reading?
Due to a very busy life, reading tends to be just before sleep. I also love audiobooks for when I’m doing tasks that prevent me reading but not listening.

Is there a type of reading you’ve come back to as an adult or discovered recently?
I’ve always been a keen reader however I read less and less fiction as I get older.

What book would you give as a gift to everyone?
My all-time favourite book is Pride and Prejudice so I would gift that.

Look out for further articles in this series as we share how colleagues and library members Go All In for reading.

If you also love audiobooks, or would like to try them, explore our downloadable audiobook collection available via three handy apps which let you listen on the go.

Debbie introduces herself and writes of her practice:

Hello, my name is Debbie, I am 43 and I am a Blind artist and photographer.

Since my sudden vision loss three years ago,  I  have used photography as a way to cope with adjusting to a world that changed overnight for me. It is a way to share my interest in light and shadow which make such beautiful patterns and to try to show people those aspects of the world which I now see best.

I rarely go a day without taking at least several photographs and am never without either my phone camera or my trusty Canon. I do hope you enjoy my work as much as I have enjoyed creating it.

The photographs on display are available for sale. If you are interested in making a purchase, speak to the staff in the Art and Design Library.

The Art and Design Library hosts a monthly programme of exhibitions by local artists and community groups. They are always interested to hear from artists wanting to exhibit their work. The space is free to use and we charge no commission on works sold. Please contact the Art and Design Library for an application form and further information. Contact the Library by phoning 0131 242 8040 or email Central.artanddesign.library@edinburgh.gov.uk

This Saturday 4 July 2026, the University of Exeter Chapel Choir, one of the south west’s leading vocal ensembles bring their enriching programme of music to Central Library!

Don’t miss this opportunity to hear the Choir as they stop off at the Mezzanine on their Edinburgh and Glasgow 2026 tour.

Saturday 4 July at 1pm

Please don’t forget to book your free ticket via Ticketsource.

This year the theme for The Reading Agency’s Summer Reading Challenge is Read to the Beat inspiring children to explore the connection between stories and songs, discovering how reading and music both ignite imagination and creativity.

We invite children aged 4 to 11 to take up the challenge of reading six books during the summer holidays. Children can register to take part at any of our libraries. Children can read whatever books they like – fiction, fact books, poetry, joke books, picture books, ebooks or audio books. They’ll find a Summer Reading Challenge collection of ebooks and audiobooks available to borrow on Libby Kids & Teens.  

Complete all six library books to receive the finisher’s medal, certificate and bookmark!

The Summer Reading Challenge launches on Tuesday 30 June and will finish on Monday 31 August 2026.

Don’t forget to drop into your local library or keep an eye on their Facebook page for information about fun activities and events for children throughout the holidays.

Read to the Beat is delivered by The Reading Agency in partnership with Edinburgh Libraries and powered by Universal Music UK.

Illustrations © Harry Woodgate 2026. Read to the Beat © The Reading Agency 2026

Here on the blog, we aim to highlight to people of all ages the benefits of reading as a leisure activity, a refuge and a valuable resource in our daily lives. We’ll be sharing different readers’ recommendations and thoughts on how reading can inspire creativity and provide an escape from everyday pressures. We’ve posed a series of questions and asked contributors to get involved by sharing their responses and their love of reading.

Thanks to Matt from Fountainbridge Library who starts this new series –

What do you like to read? News, magazines, books, audio books, articles, essays, blogs…
I like to read all of these, but particularly physical books (sourced from the library, obviously), there is something so reassuring about the heft of a book and the feel of turning pages, sneaking glimpses ahead and seeing how much is left to enjoy.

Has reading helped you learn a new skill?
I have learnt strategies to help me self-regulate from a range of books about neurodiversity (mostly comics) sourced from the library’s Autism Awareness display.

Tell us about a book or a story that stayed with you from childhood?
I read the original Earthsea Trilogy as a child (numerous times) and those stories/that world have stayed with me.

Where or when do you most enjoy reading?
I love reading on the bus, it always feels like stolen, liminal time, or like a cheat code to do extra reading, but the most comforting way for me to read is curled up in an armchair at home with a cup of tea (maybe even a piece of cake) on a lazy afternoon.

Is there a type of reading you’ve come back to as an adult or discovered recently?
I have rediscovered the joy of non-fiction after feeling distinctly non-committal, eased in by a series of outstanding non-fiction graphic novels e.g. Darryl Cunningham’s Supercrash and Peter Wohlleben’s The Hidden Life of Trees.

What book would you give as a gift to everyone?
I don’t believe there is any book that is right for everyone, so maybe a book token (if such things still exist in this crazy modern world…).

Who could argue with the gift of a book token? Or what about a library membership, giving you free access to a limitless choice of books all year round!

Look out for further articles in this series as we share how other colleagues and library members Go All In for reading.

This beautifully presented collection of books, with unique and distinctive cream and red covers, have been published to celebrate the publisher Penguin Books 90th anniversary. The collection spans nine decades and covers a wide variety of genres, including short stories, (Herman Hesse’s Strange News from Another Planet), poetry (W.B. Yeats’ Sailing to Byzantium) and philosophy, (Walter Benjamin’s Unpacking My Library), and showcases authors as diverse as Andy Warhol and Homer.

Highlights include Laurie Lee’s moving memoir A Moment of War (published by Penguin UK,1992), in which the author reflects on his loss of youthful idealism. The story recounts his harrowing experiences as a 23 year old crossing the Pyrenees in the winter of 1937 to join the International Brigades fighting General Franco’s forces in the Spanish Civil War; and 2025s The Maverick Pig by Chinese author Wang Xiaobo, a collection of satirical essays exploring the Chinese Cultural Revolution and its impact on Chinese life.

Whatever your taste in literature you’re likely to find something to appeal in these short form titles, whether a quick summer read for the beach, an introduction to a new author, or rereading a familiar classic.

Pop in to Central Lending Library and pick up a Penguin or explore the Penguin Books Archive via the library catalogue!