The Edinburgh residents transforming one of the city's most iconic streets
The Royal Mile's Tron Kirk Market has become a haven for local artists to thrive among the souvenir shops lining Edinburgh’s High Street.
Over 20 artists run stalls in the historic church, engaging with an endless supply of tourists and locals - with creators calling the space "a game changer" for local art.
The Scottish Design Exchange launched the venue in July 2022 and was met with huge success in sales and popularity.
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Edinburgh Live spoke to artists at the Tron Kirk Market to hear about what the place means to local creatives.
Dodo Flugge, a Newington-based artist, said the space was “absolutely game changing.”
“It sounded too good to be true, but it was exactly what they said it would be. For an artist, it’s almost like all your dreams came true.
“There is so much footfall and you get immediate feedback from customers. There is a cash flow that a small creative business rarely gets to be a part of.”
Beyond stability, Dodo said the market also lends full creative licence to its artists. Where local artists often feel pressure to create Edinburgh-themed material, The Scottish Design Exchange encourages its artists to create anything they want.
Dodo said: “They’re not curating the art here. They give you an empty shell and what you make with it is entirely up to you.
“I have many different styles so it’s nice to have the freedom not to have to fall into a trap and only do Edinburgh-specific designs. I have those too, but they’re not my main focus anymore. They don’t have to be.”
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Sammy Douglas, an embroiderer based in Canonmills, launched her online business "Paraffle" during the pandemic’s "craft boom." When the pandemic ended and demand dropped, Sammy was offered a stall at Tron Kirk.
She said: “I feel very lucky to have got a space there. It completely turned business around, it was absolutely incredible. There’s no way I’d get the same amount of footfall if we were still online.
“It’s just a brilliant space. It’s great to use it for such a positive thing as to support local artists. I’ve found a community of other artists here, which I never would have found from my online business.”
The Scottish Design Exchange supports artists at its locations at the Tron Kirk Market, Edinburgh’s George Street, and in Glasgow. From July 2023 - July 2024, its markets earned £4.3 million, all of which was given to its artists.
Lynzi Leroy, founder and CEO of Scottish Design Exchange, wants to use the Tron Kirk Market to boost local artists and tell a different story about the capital.
She said: “We want to show people that Edinburgh is not just tourist and tartan. We want to give visitors a unique product apart from the souvenir shops that are largely not supporting local artists.
Lynzi also aims to engage locals in the Royal Mile, saying: “Edinburgh locals don’t feel that High Street is for them. We get great feedback from locals about the Tron Kirk Market.”
The Scottish Design Exchange leases the 17th century Kirk from the Scottish Historic Buildings Trust. Rent contributes to the space’s maintenance.
Lynzi added: “It’s a landmark building. It’s amazing to be able to contribute to its upkeep.”
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