| # | Agency | Description | Postcode |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Leith Agency | Edinburgh-based creative advertising agency (est. 1984) known for bold campaigns for Scottish and UK brands. (creativeagencies.org) | EH6 6LX (ContactOut) |
| 2 | MadeBrave | Glasgow-based brand/creative agency specialising in brand strategy, digital and advertising. (TechBehemoths) | G1 1TQ (glasgow.cylex-uk.co.uk) |
| 3 | Tayburn | Scottish branding, design & digital agency with offices in Edinburgh (and Glasgow) and a long heritage from 1979. (Wikipedia) | EH2 4PH (Endole) |
| 4 | Good‑Loop | Edinburgh-based adtech-advertising company (online advertising + charity linkage) with UK & EU operations. (Wikipedia) | Edinburgh (postcode not listed reliably) |
| 5 | Lever Digital | Edinburgh-based digital marketing & advertising agency specialising in PPC & growth for B2B/SaaS. (leverdigital.co.uk) | Edinburgh (postcode not listed reliably) |
| 6 | Fifth Ring | Aberdeen-based B2B marketing & advertising firm with “top independent” positioning in Scotland. (morispr.com) | (Aberdeen) |
| 7 | Bright Signals | Scottish agency combining creativity & tech, working in digital advertising, social & brand-engagement. (morispr.com) | Scotland (postcode not listed reliably) |
| 8 | The Union (agency) | Scottish integrated marketing & creative agency; known for branding and advertising in Scotland. (morispr.com) | Scotland (postcode not listed reliably) |
| 9 | Frame (agency) | Scottish agency focused on storytelling, experiential marketing & advertising campaigns. (morispr.com) | Scotland (postcode not listed reliably) |
| 10 | Moris Media | Scottish advertising agency listed as “leading” in a 2025 survey; full-suite advertising services. (morispr.com) | Scotland (postcode not listed reliably) |
Comments & Observations
- Geographic spread: Many of the top agencies are based in Edinburgh and Glasgow, with some in Aberdeen, reflecting Scotland’s creative-industry hubs.
- Specialisation mix: There’s a mix of full-service creative houses (Leith, MadeBrave, Tayburn) and more specialised digital/ad-tech & performance agencies (Good-Loop, Lever Digital).
- Postcode data gaps: While I found full postcodes for a few (e.g., Leith Agency, MadeBrave, Tayburn), for others the exact postal code wasn’t easily sourced in my search. If you need verified postcodes for all 20, further sourcing will be required.
- Industry recognition: Many of these agencies are referenced in “top advertising/creative agency” lists for Scotland (e.g., turn0search2).
- Implication for clients: If you’re selecting an agency partner in Scotland, evaluating both creative heritage (e.g., Leith) and digital/tech specialism (e.g., Good-Loop) is key. Location matters, but so does niche expertise.
Here are three detailed case studies of leading Scottish advertising agencies, followed by commentary / take-aways you can use. If you like, I can, after these, pull together a full list of Top 20 agencies in Scotland with descriptions + full postcodes for you.
Case Study 1: The Leith Agency (Edinburgh)
Description / Background
- Founded in 1984 in Leith, Edinburgh. (Wikipedia)
- Known for bold advertising campaigns (for brands such as Honda, Irn-Bru, etc.). (Best Five In)
- Address listed as “19 Torphichen St, Edinburgh EH3 8HX”. (Best Five In)
Why it stands out / what they do well
- Strong creative heritage: their campaigns are recognised for being memorable and impactful (e.g., “The Snowman” style work for Irn-Bru). (Wikipedia)
- Local roots but capability for big-brand work—serving clients across Scotland and the UK.
- Long presence gives stability and brand recognition in the Scottish market.
Challenges / things to watch
- With strong heritage comes risk of being seen as less agile compared to newer digital specialists.
- Needs to ensure it keeps up with digital and performance-driven advertising rather than purely creative output.
- Market competition: newer agencies offering niche digital services may capture growth segments (SMEs, online-only brands).
Key takeaway
For businesses seeking a well-known Scottish creative agency with strong heritage and brand work, The Leith Agency is a top choice. But if you require heavy digital-performance or very niche tech advertising, you’ll want to check how well they deliver in those areas.
Case Study 2: MadeBrave (Glasgow)
Description / Background
- Based in Glasgow, specialising in brand / creative agency services with a growing international footprint. (Mentioned by The Times article: „MadeBrave reported a 39% increase in annual revenues… move to Glasgow city centre to better serve international client base.”) (The Times)
- Recognised as “agency of the year” at Marketing Society Awards (per that article).
Why it stands out / what they do well
- Rapid growth and ambition: a Scottish agency growing not only locally but positioning for broader UK/EMEA impact.
- Strong capability in both creative and digital: bridging brand strategy + delivery.
- Glasgow location appeals to clients wanting Scottish base but high-quality agency work.
Challenges / things to watch
- Growth pace brings risks: ensuring quality and culture scale with business expansion.
- International work means they face competition from London-based agencies and global networks. They must maintain a clear differentiator (Scottish origin, agility, etc).
- As they expand, they may lose some of the “independent/local” perception which can be a strength in Scottish markets.
Key takeaway
If you’re a brand (Scottish, UK or international) needing strong brand + creative work but want to partner outside London, MadeBrave is a strong agency. Their Glasgow base gives strategic flexibility and their growth momentum suggests strong capability.
Case Study 3: Good‑Loop (Edinburgh)
Description / Background
- Founded 2016 in Edinburgh. (Wikipedia)
- Specialises in online advertising (video ads) with a twist: viewers choose a charity which receives a donation when they watch the ad. (Wikipedia)
- Works with clients such as Unilever, Kit-Kat/Nestlé, Coca-Cola. (Wikipedia)
Why it stands out / what they do well
- Innovation: combining advertising spend with social good gives them a clear niche and brand differentiator.
- Digital-first: their product is video advertising online, which aligns with current trends of advertising consumption.
- Location benefit: Scottish digital/tech base but works with large global clients — demonstrates Scotland’s capability in ad-tech, not just traditional advertising.
Challenges / things to watch
- Being niche means they may be less suited for full-service traditional campaigns (TV, outdoor, etc) compared to full-service creative houses.
- As digital ad-tech becomes more commoditised, they must continue to innovate to stay unique.
- Scaling operations while maintaining their ethical/impact brand could be a balancing act.
Key takeaway
For clients who prioritise digital video advertising with social impact, Good-Loop offers a standout option in Scotland. For broader campaign needs (e.g., omni-channel, TV, outdoor), you might look for an agency that can integrate their digital product into a larger campaign ecosystem.
Commentary & Observations
- Diverse specialisations exist: These case studies illustrate the variety in the Scottish advertising agency ecosystem — from heritage creative (Leith) to growth-oriented branding (MadeBrave) to ad-tech innovation (Good-Loop).
- Location matters but capability trumps: While Edinburgh/Leith and Glasgow dominate as agency hubs, the real strength is in the agency’s services and track record. Many Scottish agencies can punch above their weight.
- Choosing the right partner means identifying your needs:
- If you need high creative impact / brand storytelling → go with a heritage creative agency.
- If you want strong digital performance and growth traction → pick one of the newer, digitally-native agencies.
- If social impact or ad-tech innovation is important → the niche agencies shine.
- Scottish agencies are increasingly international: As seen with MadeBrave and Good-Loop, geographic location in Scotland is no barrier to working with global clients. That means clients can access high quality but potentially lower-cost base than London-only.
- Look out for capacity & scale risks: Rapid growth or niche focus both bring risks — agencies must maintain quality, manage talent, and deliver across channels.
- Postcode / physical address still matters for local/regional clients: If you’re a Scottish business, working with an agency in Scotland (e.g., Edinburgh EH3 or Glasgow G1/G2) can give you cultural fit, easier in-person interaction, and local market understanding.