The Library of Mistakes

The Library of Mistakes

World-leading financial history education

 

 

 

 

Beautiful
free-to-use library

Renowned online and in-person courses

Podcasts, events
and webinars

 

World-leading financial history education

Beautiful
free-to-use library

Renowned online and in-person courses

Podcasts, events
and webinars

Practical History of Financial Markets 2025

Come and study our renowned financial history course, delivered in person by our experts, in some of the world’s leading financial centres.

London

London

13-15 May 2025

£2,250 ex VAT

London

London

18-20 November 2025

£2,250 ex VAT

How did Edinburgh become the city of money over 300 years, only to fall from grace in the financial crash of 2008?

Supported by wealth managers RBC Brewin Dolphin and brought to you by the Library of Mistakes. Money Talks, Money Walks is an audio-guided walk through the history of the Scottish capital's relationship with money.

The Library of what?

Edinburgh’s Library of Mistakes is like no other venue: a hub of research, intellectual curiosity and conviviality set in the city's historic New Town.

lom-macneill-150-1200
The Library of Mistakes Course

Advanced Valuation in Financial Markets

Our renowned in-person course runs twice a year in London. The online version of our course, is available for both finance professionals and non-professionals.

As featured in the Financial Times

In conjunction with Heriot-Watt University

twoguys

Upcoming events

Eoin McLaughlin on British pounds – Irish rates

Thu 15 May 2025

According to The Irish Times, 1956 was one of the most challenging years in the history of the Irish state. The macroeconomic crisis of 1955–56…

View Lecture →

Dr Philip Luck on Trump’s tarriffs

Mon 19 May 2025

In the wake of the sweeping “Liberation Day Tariffs” introduced by President Donald Trump, global markets, trade partners and domestic industries are grappling with a…

View Lecture →

Financial Communication: Turning Mistakes into Mastery – Using Techniques from the World of Acting (in association with CFA UK)

Wed 21 May 2025

Join us for a engaging evening led by Martyn Barmby, Managing Director at MSB Executive – and also a professionally trained actor. Martyn combines his…

View Lecture →

Latest event

Past events

Harry Nimmo on Biggest ain’t best

Harry will talk about the key lessons learnt when picking stocks, constructing portfolios and building a specialist investment business. He’ll look at the characteristics in ...
View Lecture

The Stories We Tell – Narrative Economics and the Stage

This is a companion event to the recent staging of Liam’s play, The Land That Never Was, about legendary Scottish conman Gregor MacGregor, who sold ...
View Lecture

JP Smith on Emerging Markets — Great Expectations, Dismal Reality?

Since 2010 emerging market equities have recorded a dismal performance in both absolute and relative terms, despite the overwhelmingly bullish consensus. In this lecture Smith ...
View Lecture

Xmas film night – It’s a Wonderful Life – film and introduction from Keeper, Russell Napier

T’is the season to be jolly? Or, perhaps t’is the season to learn the connection between one of the most beloved movies of the festive ...
View Lecture

Anthony Bolton on what I learnt as a fund manager

With a knack for delivering market beating returns over many years in his Fidelity Special Situations Fund, his mantra was always to avoid the herd ...
View Lecture

Our Collection

We hold a selection of quirky curiosities and a fine collection of books — all related to the ups and downs of financial markets and businesses throughout the years.

You can view a sample of the books (and more) by clicking the button below.

lom-macneill-139-1200

Recent news

Want to fully understand financial history? Then study Russia at the Library of Mistakes

The latest blog from our librarian Dr Helen Williams Not all our books are on financial history. For anyone wanting to find out more about ...
Read on

Library of Mistakes looks at…itself!

With our podcast series now established in the top 2% of global downloads (who knew that financial history could be so zeitgeist?!), we’re excited to ...
Read on

‘Weekend of Mistakes’ returns after sold-out first year with expanded programme featuring “Pre-Eminent Economists, Thinkers and Authors”

Following the sell-out success of last’s year’s event, Edinburgh’s renowned Library of Mistakes is again partnering with Hay Castle Trust to present the second Weekend ...
Read on

More about the Library

We are the perfect backdrop for you to host your event, whether entertaining clients, running a seminar or giving a presentation. High quality AV for streaming and room for 90 people in-person.

lom-macneill-74-1200

Looking cool and supporting the library is never a mistake!

For errorists (that’s fans of the Library!) we sell branded quality goods including t-shirts, mugs, postcards and pencils. Items are available to purchase in person from the Library.

For information use our contact page.

dont-be-a-mug-library-of-mistakes-1200-800
Scroll to Top
The Library of Mistakes
Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.