We’ve analysed Twitter accounts across 10 key Scottish sectors and found the most popular 10 individuals in each.

Three pass the million mark in terms of followers: Pete Cashmore, 26, the founder of the Mashable social media news blog; US TV host Craig Ferguson; and JK Rowling. They are closely followed by Andy Murray and Gordon Ramsay, who each boast more than 900,000 followers.

All enjoy  global exposure which undoubtedly boosts their popularity on Twitter. The online networking site now has more than 500 million accounts globally, six years after launch.

But elsewhere, because our research  compares different types of Scottish Tweeters – in business, broadcasting, literature, sport, food and drink, comedy, music, acting, fashion, and politics – the findings offer a fascinating insight into what is arguably today’s most powerful  social medium.

The most followed Scottish Tweeters by sector are:

Business: Pete Cashmore (2,931,558 followers)   Read Business Top 10

Broadcasting: Craig Ferguson (1,288,229)   Read Broadcasting Top 10

Literature: JK Rowling (1,287,687)  Read Literature Top 10

Sport: Andy Murray (982,419) Read Sport Top 10

Food and drink: Gordon Ramsay (925,213) Read Food and Drink Top 10

Comedy: Frankie Boyle (774,744) Read Comedy Top 10

Music: Paolo Nutini (157,320) Read Music Top 10

Acting: Karen Gillan (126,694) Read Acting top 10

Fashion: Stacey Duguid (23,838) Read Fashion Top 10

Politics: Alex Salmond (23,167) Read Politics Top 10

We’ve listed  (but not ranked ) them by number of followers, knowing that’s only one measure of popularity.

Other factors to take into account in assessing Twitter “influence”  include how many other Tweeters each of our 100 has, in turn, followed to build their audience: the bigger the ratio of followers to following, the more impressive the performance.

And how many Tweets they’ve each put out there: fewer can suggest each word is like gold dust to fans (see JK Rowling), while more indicates greater interactivity with followers.

Any analysis of a fluid medium like Twitter can be challenged. We’d like to hear your views – about any omissions, suggested inclusions, or even the worth of Twitter itself – using the comments box below.

We’ll be updating our Scottish list later this year and you can help shape it. And with us, you’re not limited to 140 characters!