Creative Industries

The Highlands and Islands of Scotland has a vibrant, innovative industry with big, global potential.

Hear from Keith Morrison at Wee Studios in Stornoway about working with HIE.

Supporting Creative industries in the Highlands and Islands

With its rich culture and heritage, the Highlands and Islands is a hub of innovative creative businesses. Our unique cultural landscape attracts global consumers eager to find new ways to engage with the region’s creative output.

The sector is largely made up of microbusinesses and freelancers, competing in global markets alongside major multinationals. Collaboration helps these businesses scale, while the sector’s diversity and flexibility ensure that size is no barrier to growth or economic impact. Instead, the creative industries in the region are fast-moving and vibrant, delivering both economic and social benefits.

Creative industries are increasingly important to all sectors as they further adopt digital technology, including AI. Across Scotland, 85% of businesses report needing creative skills to grow.

Our Support for Creative Businesses

We support creative businesses across the Highlands and Islands to develop and grow, recognising their value to the regional economy. Our services range from general business support, to more specialised assistance, including advice, funding access, and tailored development programmes. We also offer a huge archive of video content that covers a wide range creative business topics and advice, which are free for you to access as you need. Through our extensive network of global industry leaders and experienced local businesses, we offer valuable networking opportunities and insights, ensuring we stay at the forefront of industry trends and business needs.

Examples of these networks in action has been working with Smartify, the leading app for museums and galleries, with over 5 million users. Our collaboration enabled nine independent museums in the region to develop new skills, digital content and a promotional platform —offering them the same opportunities typically reserved for major institutions like the Smithsonian or the National Gallery.

Get Involved

We believe our network and industry expertise can be invaluable in helping you develop your creative business. Whether you're looking for support, funding, or collaboration opportunities, we’d love to hear from you. If you’re a creative business in the Highlands and Islands, we’re also looking for:

Businesses interested in potentially participating in video interviews or providing short video stories about their work and the region’s creative potential.
Creatives interested in potentially taking part in collaborative projects.

If you’d like to stay updated on our programmes, funding opportunities, sector developments, and new resources, we will soon be launching a newsletter and notice board. Get in touch, and we’ll let you know when it’s available.

Support from HIE

Have a look at our support of get in touch to have a chat about how we can work with you.

Gaelic Digital Challenge Fund

The Gaelic Digital Challenge Fund and workshops to help young Gaelic speakers develop innovative digital contents. Register today.

Browse all support services

We support businesses, communities and social enterprises through a range of support services, including advice, funding, events and property. Find out how we can help you.

HIE's Innovation Service

HIE's innovation service can provide you with expert advice and funding to help you get your ideas off the ground.

R&D funding

We have R&D funding available for businesses of all sizes in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland.

General enquiries

Fill out our enquiries form to see how we can help you.

Unique and immersive higher and further education

Unsurprisingly, our region’s vibrant, rich and diverse culture and history supports a strong further education network for those looking to study, research and develop within the creative industries.

The Moray School of Art in Elgin couples research and a special blend of traditional and contemporary art practices.

The Centre for Island Creativity based in UHI Shetland was created in 2015 with the support of HIE, Shetland Islands Council and Creative Scotland. Here, interdisciplinary research acts as a focal point for teaching, knowledge exchange and engagement with those in the creative industries.

Sabhal Mòr Ostaig based in Skye is the National Centre for Gaelic Language and Culture. It’s the only centre for Higher and Further Education in the world that provides its courses entirely through the medium of Gaelic.

Campbell’s of Beauly

Campbell’s of Beauly hosted a student placement during summer 2023, with funding support from the Northern Innovation Hub’s (NIH) Technology Placement Programme.

Campbell’s of Beauly

Candles from the Croft

IMPACT30 is a cohort programme custom-designed to develop young business leaders and entrepreneurs in the Highlands and Islands. Hear about the journey Candles from the Croft took.

Candles from the Croft