Conclusion

The trajectory of Scottish publishing fortunes has been marked by nineteenth-century expansion and twentieth century specialisation. Throughout the twentieth century Scottish publishing faced a period of change in audiences, business structures and world markets. The First and Second World Wars saw businesses suffer under wartime strictures and rationing, as well as the loss and death of skilled personnel. The 1950s through to the 1980s brought on a period of merger of former family owned businesses as they were bought out, restructured and reconfigured alongside other media assets (film, music and television production) as part of larger, multinational, multimedia conglomerates.

In 1861 it was estimated that in Edinburgh alone printing and allied trades employed over 3,000 people. Even until the 1960s, Edinburgh’s printing industry employed between 5,000 to 6,000 workers. A recent Scottish Arts Council report, however, notes how matters have changed: in 2004, there were roughly 85 publishers working in Scotland, employing a total approximately of 1250 staff. These firms tend to be small to medium sized, punching above their weight by specialising in particular niche markets. Several are prominent national and international players in the publishing sector, with firms such as Birlinn, Canongate Press, Mainstream Press and Polygon publishing important works of Scottish interest and attracting authors with international reputations.

Scottish publishing carries on the proud tradition of producing finely printed, stimulating and important works. Like their predecessors over the past two centuries, Scottish publishers have done much to enrich the social, cultural, educational and civic fabric of Scotland, maintaining its worldwide reputation as a centre of literary and cultural innovation and excellence.

Sources consulted

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