Creative Industries
Creative industries are defined as industries which are powered by individual creativity, including music, film and video, gaming, television, fashion, advertising, architecture and arts and antiques. Jobs within the sector have steadily increased in recent years and it now accounts for around five per cent of the total economy of the Highlands and Islands. The sector employs 13,285 people and accounts for 1,670 businesses. Around 72 per cent of these businesses employed less than five people.
Designer fashion and its associated retail activity, followed by publishing and television and radio account for the majority of employment.
Here is only a small selection of businesses that fall into this sector.
The company is based in Balmacara, near Kyle of Lochalsh and is a registered charity that trains people with mental health problems. Every product is unique as it is made from recycled materials, examples include bags, pillows and scarfs.
The company’s workshop is located in Tankerness on Orkney and produces high quality jewellery inspired by the island environment. The jewellery is sold in the UK and the US.
The wooden toys are hand made in the workshop in Burra, Shetland. Speiliks means wood shavings in the Shetland dialect and was founded 1998 by a couple on their croft. The traditional high quality wooden toys stand up to years of hard play.
This family run business makes all Kilts, Kilted Skirts, Tartan Trews and some Jackets at its premises in Inverness.
The business was established in 2002 and is located on the Black Isle. Two types of wooden baths are made from sustainable wood.
The couple produce jewellery and silverware at Birsay on Orkney.
The small Kirkwall company produces handmade Orkney straw chairs that are made out of driftwood, oak or walnut.
This Inverness organisation produces hand crafted soaps, made by part time volunteers with or without disabilities.