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Design

Inside Tron Kirk Market: Edinburgh’s Hidden Hub of Contemporary Scottish Design

Edinburgh skyline from Calton Hill

Tron Kirk Market sits in one of the most atmospheric parts of the city’s Old Town, where centuries of history meet a modern creative energy. Set within the former 17th-century Tron Kirk, this curated indoor market offers a calmer, design-led counterpoint to the bustle of the Royal Mile just outside its doors.

A Curated Approach to Scottish Making

What defines the Tron Kirk Market is its curation. Rather than a traditional tourist market, it showcases a selection of Scottish designers, artisans, and small independent brands. Expect handcrafted jewellery, ceramics, textiles, artwork, and locally designed homeware — pieces that reflect both contemporary Scottish design and traditional craftsmanship.

The curation changes regularly, but a few names consistently capture the market’s spirit.

Ink & Stitch Studio

This textile-led studio explores print, pattern, and surface design through a modern Scottish lens. Expect hand-finished textiles, accessories, and limited-run pieces that reflect both craftsmanship and contemporary design sensibility.

Silverod Jewellery

Silverod’s work is defined by clean lines, subtle texture, and a focus on wearable simplicity. Each piece is thoughtfully made, offering a quiet sense of luxury rather than an overt statement — ideal for those who appreciate understated design.

Hebridean Candle Co.

Inspired by Scotland’s landscapes, Hebridean Candle Co. translates place into scent. Their candles and home fragrances are crafted to evoke coastlines, forests, and weathered stone — bringing a sense of calm, atmospheric luxury into everyday rituals.

Many of the makers are present in person, offering visitors the chance to hear directly about their processes, inspirations, and materials. It’s this connection between creator and visitor that gives the market its distinctive character.

For those interested in architecture and interiors, the Tron Kirk itself is as compelling as the work it contains. The interplay of old and new, stone and light, restraint and detail make it one of the Royal Mile’s most visually rewarding interiors.

Insider Tip: Visit earlier in the day or midweek if you can. The space is most atmospheric when it’s quieter, allowing the architecture, light, and craftsmanship to take centre stage just as it was intended.

Tron Kirk Market
122 High Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1SG
scottishdesignexchange.com