Held at the Usher Hall, the event was held in Scotland’s capital city after Monaco, who had the competition won in 1971, were unable to meet the huge demands of hosting the show and could not find a suitable venue.
Taking place on March 25, 1972, Eurovision was hosted by Scottish ballet dancer Moira Shearer and screened on the BBC. Representing the UK that year were The New Seekers with the song Beg, Steal Or Borrow.
Going up against 17 other countries, they were respectable runners-up to Luxembourg's Vicky Leandross, whose song Apres Toi garnered 128 points to the UK's 114.
As we wait to see if the UK's Olly Alexander can win this year’s competiton, scroll through our photo gallery for a nostalgic trip back to when Eurovision came to Edinburgh.
9. Ireland
The Irish entry, Sandie Jones, sung Ceol An Ghra in the Irish language, and according to the Eurovision website, it remains until now the only song ever sung in Irish in the history of the song contest. Photo: BBC
10. How the castle got involved
The interval act for the 1972 contest was performed outside the vast Esplanade of the Great Hall of Edinburgh Castle. Photo: BBC
11. Scoreboard
Luxemburg racked up a total of 128 points in 1972, securing the win. Next year, winning singer Vicky Leandros would try to enter the song contest again but only came 3rd in the German national final for the contest. Photo: BBC