Edinburgh's creative industries sector

The sector encompasses advertising, architecture, art and design, computer and video games, crafts, designer fashion, film and video, music, the performing arts, publishing, software and broadcasting. 

Edinburgh was named the first UNESCO City of Literature in 2004; the UK's sixth most creative city in 2007 and the world's sixth most cinematic city in 2009. In 2006 it was also crowned European City of the Year by the Academy of Urbanism, representing a group of leading British architects and planners.

As the world's leading Festival City, the Inspiring Capital attracts around 4m visitors annually with an internationally renowned programme of all-year-round festivals.

Top companies by turnover in the city region include newspaper publishers Johnston Press, global architectural practice RMJM Group, production company Ten Alps, media planning agency Feather Brooksbank and publishers Clyde and Forth Press.

Other high profile companies in the region include Rockstar North, the games developer behind Grand Theft Auto, Microsoft, Amazon's software development centre, The Leith Agency, the creative and advertising agency behind consumer brands such as Irn-Bru and publisher Canongate Books, which secured the UK rights to the autobiographies of US President Barack Obama.

 

Think Creative, Think EDINBURGH - Your guide to the best of Edinburgh's creative community, where talent and ambition combine to shape some of the world's most innovative ideas, highlighting the capital's strengths in architecture, design, PR & advertising, film, TV & radio, and digital technology.