filmshoot

Filmshoot / Permits / Screen Scotland

National Body scotland

Filming in Scotland: Screen Scotland permits guide

Screen Scotland connects productions to councils, NatureScot, and Historic Environment Scotland for filming anywhere in Scotland.

Who issues permits

Individual councils issue permits for their own land and streets. Screen Scotland’s production team connects productions to the right councils — Edinburgh via Film Edinburgh, Glasgow via Glasgow City Council, and remote Highland and island locations through Highland Council. NatureScot oversees national nature reserves; Historic Environment Scotland manages scheduled monuments.

Process

Contact Screen Scotland’s production support team early in pre-production. The team advises on which councils and landowners need to be engaged and can facilitate introductions. For major productions, Screen Scotland may assign a dedicated production liaison with knowledge of the specific region.

Fees

Screen Scotland’s advisory service is free. Individual councils and landowners set their own filming fees. Remote Highland and island locations may involve additional logistical costs within the permit process.

What’s covered

All of Scotland — from Edinburgh Castle in the capital through the Highlands and islands, Cairngorms National Park, Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park, and remote locations in the Outer Hebrides and Orkney.

Typical restrictions

National scenic areas and Sites of Special Scientific Interest require NatureScot input before access is confirmed. Historic Environment Scotland must be consulted for filming at scheduled monuments. Remote locations may require production companies to arrange their own access infrastructure.

Contact

Apply through Screen Scotland → screen.scot