Our vibrant Creative Economy is our superpower!

The South of Scotland boasts a wide-ranging creative ecosystem that includes everything from fashion and textiles, film, music, publishing, software development, visual arts, crafts, gaming and more.

  • Our region’s biggest asset is its people and the South of Scotland boasts an incredibly supportive ecosystem of creative thinkers and doers.
  • There’s over 6,000 people in more than 1,800 enterprises engaged in driving the creative industries forward.
  • These enterprises stretch from coast to coast, creating a real community that encourages innovation, collaboration and opportunity at every step.
  • Many of our creative enterprises are deeply intertwined and rely on each other’s skillsets as they continue to grow.
  • The region has become a hive of opportunity in growing our Creative Economy which now generates more than £280 million per annum.
  • With a strong sense of community, as well as the perfect balance of natural beauty, heritage and modern living, the South of Scotland continues to be the ideal place for those working within the Creative Economy to live, work and thrive.
  • The South of Scotland is laser focused on our journey to Net Zero and our vibrant creative economy is our superpower.
Creative Economy Guide front cover

South of Scotland Creative Economy Guide 

We revealed the significance of the Creative Economy in the South of Scotland in a guide launched in September 2023, which aims to highlight the sector’s potential.  The South of Scotland Creative Economy Guide details the value of the industry – made up of 16 sub-sectors including architecture, crafts, fashion and textiles, film and video, radio and TV, music and writing and publishing – which it estimates to be worth £280million a year to the region.

 

Leaderfoot Viaduct

With a diverse range of stunning locations and a friendly team ready to welcome you, find out more about why the South of Scotland truly is the perfect filming destination. 

South of Scotland - the Perfect Filming Destination about South of Scotland - the Perfect Filming Destination external link which will open in a new window
South of Scotland - the Perfect Filming Destination about South of Scotland - the Perfect Filming Destination external link which will open in a new window
Creative Placemaking approach

Along with Dumfries & Galloway based arts organisation, The Stove Network, we published an important, new approach to Community Wealth Building and Community-Led Place Development.

A Creative Placemaking Approach about A Creative Placemaking Approach external link which will open in a new window
A Creative Placemaking Approach about A Creative Placemaking Approach external link which will open in a new window

We commissioned EKOS to undertake a detailed analysis of the creative industries sector in the South of Scotland region in late 2021. Read the report by clicking on the link below.

Creative Industries in the South of Scotland about Creative Industries in the South of Scotland external link which will open in a new window
Creative Industries in the South of Scotland about Creative Industries in the South of Scotland external link which will open in a new window
Jane Morrison Ross)

“Partners across the South of Scotland are committed to unlocking creative cultural excellence across the region to ensure we continue to grow our strong Creative Economy.”

Jane Morrison-Ross, Chief Executive, SOSE