Scottish Design Exchange: Where Scotland’s makers shine

If you’re looking for genuinely Scottish gifts and homeware the Scottish Design Exchange, on both George Street and the Royal Mile, should be at the top of your Edinburgh shopping list! This isn’t your typical retail shop – it’s a social enterprise where every penny spent goes directly to the creators, supporting over 300 Scottish artists and designers who might otherwise struggle to afford high street rents.

The George Street flagship sits at 117 – 119, right in the heart of Edinburgh’s elegant New Town, but the Scottish Design Exchange has grown beyond this original location. You’ll also find them on Sauchiehall Street in Glasgow and at the Tron Kirk on the Royal Mile, a stunning 17th-century church that’s been transformed into a boutique artists’ market. The Tron Kirk location is particularly special, with it’s gorgeous stained glass windows creating an atmospheric backdrop for browsing Scottish made treasures.

Inside the Scottish Design Exchange Tron Kirk on the Royal Mile

How it works: retail rethought

What makes the Scottish Design Exchange special is it’s revolutionary approach to retail. Each artist or designer pays a nominal rent for display space, and that rent covers staff, marketing, and upkeep. Everything you spend beyond that goes straight to the maker. It’s a model that’s caught the attention of economists and media across the UK, proving that you can buck retail trends while putting people over profit.

The result? One founding artist is now stocked in 84 outlets across the country, turning over more than £350,000 annually. That’s the kind of success story that makes the Scottish Design Exchange more than just a shop!

Greater Good Wood

Meet (some of) the makers

Walking through the Scottish Design Exchange, you’ll discover an incredible variety of Scottish craftsmanship. Greater Good Wood stands out as a social enterprise making beautiful gifts and homewares from sustainable or reclaimed wood, employing and training marginalised workers while paying above the living wage. What started in a kitchen with borrowed tools now has a dedicated workshop in Bathgate, proving how the Scottish Design Exchange model helps small makers grow.

Made in Scotland: Lin Pin

Whether you’re browsing Lin Pin felted crafts (soon to be featured on our Made in Scotland blog!) or any of the other makers, each item tells a story of Scottish creativity and craftsmanship. You’ll also find work from dozens of other talented makers throughout the store including some familiar names from our Made in Scotland blog series. You can browse 3D Scotland’s chess sets in person, try some of Castle Apothacary’s testers or take a look at the pieces made by Jay Frazer Ceramics, our first ever blog interview!

Glass Apple Studios

There are so many pieces to browse at all three locations that you’ll be spoilt for choice! Why not take a look at the stunningly colourful creations by Glass Apple Studios or the gorgeous drawings of the Edinburgh based Jenni Douglas Designs? There’s gorgeous jewellery from our faves Missa & Kissa as well as the beautiful Whisky Frames that we love!

The Tron Kirk – home of the Scottish Design Exchange market

Why visit?

The Scottish Design Exchange offers something genuinely different from a more traditional souvenir shop. Here you’ll find handmade ceramics, original prints, unique jewellery, wooden homeware, textiles, and art that actually represents contemporary Scottish creativity. Prices reflect the handmade nature and quality of the work. You’re buying directly from makers and supporting Scottish artists in the process.

The George Street and Royal Mile locations in Edinburgh benefit from being right in the city centre, easily combined with shopping on Princes Street or exploring the New Town’s Georgian architecture. Pop in while you’re wandering the city and you’ll likely leave with something far more meaningful than a mass-produced piece.

Whether you’re a visitor looking for authentic Scottish gifts or a local wanting to support the creative community, the Scottish Design Exchange proves that retail can be both ethical and exciting. Every purchase helps sustain Scotland’s artistic ecosystem, one beautiful Scottish made object at a time!

The Scottish Design Exchange on George Street in Edinburgh