Scotland’s first digital, 360° ‘Kick & Play’ football cube, which is used by FC Bayern Munich as an immersive experience at FC Bayern World has arrived in the country for the first time at The Centre, Livingston (today, 12th June), in time for the big game in the World Cup this Sunday, 14th June.
The 16 square metre, hi-tech, skills.lab Cube, featuring interactive LED walls, which is part of the shopping centre’s ‘Kick & Play – Summer of Football’ events programme, is designed to give visitors of all ages the chance to put their skills to the test and enjoy a free immersive football experience.
Pic Greg Macvean 12/06/2026
The Centre, Livingston – SCOTLAND’S ONLY DIGITAL 360° FOOTBALL CUBE ARRIVES AT THE CENTRE, LIVINGSTON IN TIME FOR THE COUNTRY’S FIRST WORLD CUP GAME ON SUNDAY 14TH JUNE
The skills.lab Cube, which has permanent residency in the Bayern Munich Superstore and previously at the FIFA Museum in Zurich, and also a big hit in fan zones in Germany during the UEFA Euro 2024 tournament, is operated with a touch screen where players can switch between six pre-set, fun and challenging games.
These include Chase Next and Stroop, with moving, glowing targets, where the aim is to test technical and cognitive skills like passing accuracy, ball control and reaction time in short, high-intensity rounds and get the highest score, which is recorded using laser tracking technology, which provides visual and audio feedback.
It will remain in situ next to Burger King until the 30th July.
The Centre, Livingston, which has been kitted out with hanging football flags covering every nation taking part in the World Cup, will also be running lots of football-related arts and crafts during the weekends in July.
These range from designing a football strip and decorating a football money bank to making keyrings, medals and flags, which are free with donations optional for The Centre, Livingston’s charity partner, Children’s Hospices Across Scotland (CHAS), which provides palliative care, respite, and family support to babies, children, and young people with life-shortening conditions.
A ‘Guess the Number of Footballs’ competition, located in a display next to schuh, is also running until the 24th July, where shoppers can enter using a QR code, which directs them to the shopping centre website, to take part. Prizes include Gift Cards from various retailers including New Look and Aerial Adventures.
Lewis O’Connor from Bonnyrigg, who was visiting The Centre, Livingston with his three children and wife and took time out to enjoy a kick about with the family, said: “The football cube is a great idea which our kids really enjoyed.
“We are big Scotland fans and heading out to Miami soon to see Scotland play Brazil, which has been a life-long dream of mine, and feels even more extra special that I’m taking my son who loves his football.”
Patrick Robbertze, Centre Director at The Centre, Livingston said: “Our 360°, digital football skills.lab Cube is a great way for fans to put their football skills to the test during the World Cup tournament.
“The games are great fun and provide the perfect opportunity for everyone taking part to show off their skills and get instant feedback on all their drills, passing power and goal scoring.”
For more information check out The Centre, Livingston social channels, @shopthecentre, and the website, www.thecentrelivingston.com, for competition Terms & Conditions.
Investments to build on the excitement of the World Cup
Scotland men’s team return to the World Cup is an opportunity to ‘inspire a generation of sporting talent’, First Minister John Swinney has said.
Ahead of Scotland taking on Haiti in Boston, the team’s first World Cup finals game since 1998, the First Minister has announced the creation of a World Cup Fund.
Designed in partnership with the Scottish Football Association (SFA), £500,000 of Scottish Government funding will be invested in the development of youth programmes for boys and girls.
The First Minister has also announced £275,000 for charity Street Soccer Scotland to expand its free football and wellbeing sessions. The funding will help support volunteering and coaching opportunities for young people and fund housing assistance, mental health provision, food support and employability services for adults.
Ahead of joining Scotland fans at the FIFA Fan Festival in Boston ahead of the game, Mr Swinney said: “As Scotland takes centre stage at the World Cup, I’ll be joining the Tartan Army to show Boston and the world, the whole of Scotland will be cheering the team on. The excitement around the World Cup demonstrates the strength of football – at home and in Boston, people are celebrating and showing off the very best of Scotland.
“This is a historic moment and our return to the World Cup is an opportunity to inspire a generation of sporting talent. To nurture this talent, I am announcing a £500,000 World Cup Fund to support young boys and girls follow their sporting dreams. I am also pleased to announce funding in support of the work delivered across the country by Street Soccer Scotland.
“These programmes, alongside our £20 million Summer of Sport celebrations, will help create more sporting opportunities for young people across Scotland.”
SFA Chief Executive, Ian Maxwell, said: “Scotland’s return to the World Cup stage has undoubtedly inspired the nation – from grassroots to the senior game and across society in general.
“We regularly reference the power of football to impact the game and the country and our hope is to use this summer as a springboard to progress in a number of areas.
“We welcome the Scottish Government’s investment, which will undoubtedly boost efforts to produce the next generation of internationals, who will hopefully pick up the baton and take us to more tournaments in the future.”
Street Soccer Scotland Chief Executive David Duke said: “We welcome this support from the Scottish Government. The Street Soccer Network Programme was created on the principle that everyone, regardless of their circumstances, should have access to connection, opportunity and a sense of belonging, using the power of football.
“This investment will enable us to continue that support and reach even more communities across Scotland.
“A significant focus of the network programme is on smaller towns and rural areas, where access to services can be limited and individuals often face additional barriers. This funding allows us to provide consistent, trusted support in places where it is needed most, ensuring that people are not left behind because of where they live.”
Community change-makers up and down the country are being celebrated in His Majesty The King’s Birthday Honours List today, with 1182 recipients awarded from every part of the UK.
Community change-makers up and down the country are being celebrated in His Majesty The King’s Birthday Honours List today, with 1182 recipients awarded from every part of the UK.
These recipients have contributed significantly to their communities, going above and beyond in delivering positive change to benefit others.
Their involvement in their local areas includes fostering children in need, alleviating hygiene poverty and fundraising to improve services for special educational needs.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: Across the UK, people are quietly changing lives and strengthening their communities. This Honours List is a chance to recognise them.
“Their dedication shows how lasting change is built – through compassion, resilience and a commitment to others.
It speaks to the decent, hopeful country we are proud to be, and on behalf of the whole nation, I want to say thank you.”
Recipients being honoured today include Dame Helen Mirren and Sir Donald McCullin who are being made Members of the Order of the Companion of Honour. Professor Parveen Kumar receives a Dame Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire for services to Global Medical Education and Health.
Charlotte Tilbury receives a CBE for her services to the Beauty and Cosmetics Industry and Julius O’Riordan (Judge Jules) is awarded an MBE for services to Music, to Entertainment Law and to Young People.
The oldest recipient on the List is Pauline Hough, who at 101 years old receives a BEM for services to theatre and to the community in Nantwich.
At 20 years old, Michelle Agyemang is the youngest recipient, who is one of the Euros winning Lionesses on the list. She is receiving her MBE for services to Association Football, alongside her teammates Jess Carter, Hannah Hampton, Lauren James, Chloe Kelly and Alessia Russo.
It is also very encouraging to see that this year there is an increased number of recipients from an ethnic minority background at 11.5%, together with an increased representation of those with disabilities at 15.6%.
Arts
Patrick Doyle is being awarded an OBE for his services to Film and actor and director Dexter Fletcher also receives an OBE for services to Film and Television.
Sports
Kevin Sinfield is being awarded with a Knighthood for services to Rugby League, Rugby Union and the MND Community. Recently retired England Rugby Union player Emily Scarratt, golfer Luke Donald and snooker player Shaun Murphy all receive OBEs.
Business
Diana Sarah Brightmore-Armour is being awarded an CBE for services to Women and Diversity in Financial Services. Elizabeth Prince is receiving an MBE for services to the Games Industry and to Diversity.
Entertainment
DJ and broadcaster Carl Cox receives an OBE, Lisa Riley is being awarded an MBE for services to Drama and to Charity and Laszlo Endresz received a BEM for services to Circus Entertainment in the North West.
71 people have received awards in this year’s Overseas and International Birthday Honours List, recognising exceptional service to the UK overseas and internationally. This List reflects contributions across a broad range of fields. The British nationals recognised have directly benefited the UK and helped to strengthen the UK’s global reputation and support communities worldwide. Those being honoured on the Overseas List include Philip Ambler for services to Eye Health in Myanmar and Jane Grimshaw for services to the Education of Disadvantaged Children in India.
Anyone can nominate someone for an honour for free.
If you know someone who has achieved fantastic things worthy of recognition, go to https://www.gov.uk/honours to find out more about how you can put them forward.
First Minister congratulates Scotland’s Honour recipients
First Minister John Swinney has paid tribute to Scotland’s recipients in The King’s Birthday Honours list.
This year’s awards celebrate individuals making exceptional contributions to public life or their community in keeping with the theme of Community change makers.
Director of Health Data Research UK, Vice Principal of Data Science at the University of Edinburgh, and President of the Academy of Medical Sciences, Professor Andrew Morris, receives a knighthood for services to UK Public Health and Patient Care.
Professor Lucina Hackman, Chair of Forensic Anthropology at the University of Dundee, has been appointed a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire for services to Forensic Anthropology and Disaster Victim Identification.
Those being awarded a CBE include Ann Matheson who has held various significant positions in the field of librarianship and was until recently the Deputy Keeper of the National Library of Scotland. She receives her award for services to Literature and Culture. Cultural leader, Allison Gardner, former Chief Executive of Glasgow Film and Director of Glasgow Film Festival, is recognised for her service to film and cinema in Scotland.
Among those receiving an OBE include John Fraser McLeish, Chief Executive at The Gordon Highlanders Museum for services to heritage in Aberdeen. Chairman of J & G Grant whisky, John Grant, for services to the Scotch Whisky Industry and charity. Dr Rashmi Mantri, the founder and Director of the British Youth International College (BYITC), for services to maths education and Allan Taylor, for services to Renewable Energy.
Those receiving MBEs include Scottish DJ and charity campaigner George Bowie,best known for his Radio Clyde breakfast show, Constance McCready, founder of Covid-19 Families Scotland, for services to bereavement support; and Mary Anne Stewart for the work she has done to help alleviate food poverty in Campbeltown and the surrounding area during her decade as Chair of the Kintyre Food Bank.
Among those honoured with a BEM include the inspirational founder of mental health charity LD Let’s Talk, Derek Reid, who is the driving force behind a suicide awareness campaign which has saved many lives and Donna Louise Armstrong, for services to Veterans and the community of Renfrewshire.
The King’s Police Medal has been awarded to the following members of Police Scotland. Michelle Webster, Management Support Sergeant, Rhona Meikle, Police Sergeant, and Sarah Taylor, Detective Chief Superintendent.
The King’s Fire Service Medal is awarded to Chris Getty, Area Commander, and Ian Nicolson, On Call Support Watch Commander, from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.
Colin Brown a paramedic with the Scottish Ambulance Service has been awarded The King’s Ambulance Service Medal.
The First Minister said: “I would like to personally congratulate and thank each of this year’s recipients of The King’s Birthday Honours. From scientists and educators to volunteers and charity heroes, they have each been recognised for their outstanding contributions to their communities, sectors and public life in Scotland.
“The recipients of The King’s Police, Fire and Ambulance Service Medals demonstrate lives dedicated to keeping others safe and supporting communities. I sincerely thank them for their service and commitment.”
Scottish Secretary Douglas Alexander has congratulated all those Scots recognised in His Majesty’s Birthday Honours list.
Paying tribute to the breadth of individuals honoured, from sporting legends to community volunteers, Mr Alexander said: I am delighted to congratulate all those Scots who have been recognised in His Majesty’s Birthday Honours.
“With Scotland qualifying for the World Cup for the first time in decades, it is particularly fitting that Scottish footballing legend Lou Macari has been recognised by His Majesty. Macari won 24 caps for Scotland, including in the doomed 1978 Argentina campaign – we all hope for a better result this time.
“Scotland’s vibrant education, science and energy sectors are well represented. I’m particularly pleased to see Scotland’s renewables and nuclear energy expertise recognised – as our nation leads our drive to clean power.
“The list is a testament to the extraordinary difference that ordinary people make in their communities every day. It recognises those who give so much of themselves in service to others.
“Scotland is fortunate to have so many remarkable people working quietly and tirelessly to make it a better place, and it is right that we take this moment to celebrate them.”
