Filming in Dundee: permits and fees
Dundee City Council supports production across Scotland's fourth city, including the regenerated V&A waterfront and the city's distinctive hillside streets.
Who issues permits
Dundee City Council’s filming team handles public street and council-owned space permits. The V&A Dundee manages its own location enquiries. Screen Scotland can connect productions to regional resources.
Process
Contact Dundee’s filming team with at least five working days notice. The waterfront area near the V&A is in high demand. Standard road closures require four-week notice.
Fees
Competitive Scottish rates. Dundee is actively working to attract production. Admin fees apply.
What’s covered
City centre streets, the regenerated waterfront public realm (council portion), council parks including Baxter Park and Dudhope Park, civic buildings. RRS Discovery is managed by the Dundee Heritage Trust separately.
Typical restrictions
The waterfront between the V&A and Discovery Point involves multiple landowners. Night filming in the hillside residential streets requires community notification. RRS Discovery is a separately managed venue.
Contact
- Email: filming@dundeecity.gov.uk
- Web: dundeecity.gov.uk/filming
Apply on the Dundee City Council website → dundeecity.gov.uk
FAQ
- Who issues this filming permit?
- Dundee City Council issues filming permits for its area. Applications go through the council's filming / events team — not the local parks department or police, although those may also be consulted.
- How long is the lead time?
- Allow at least 5 working days. Complex applications involving road closures, drone use, or multiple locations need more — plan 2–4 weeks ahead where possible.
- What's the typical cost?
- Dundee City Council quotes filming fees case-by-case based on scale, duration, and public-realm impact. Small documentary crews are often charged an admin fee only; feature-film shoots involving road closures cost meaningfully more.
- What does this permit cover?
- The permit typically covers streets, parks, civic buildings. Private property and other national-body land (e.g. Crown Estate, National Trust, Royal Parks) may need separate consent.
- How do I apply?
- Apply via Dundee City Council's filming page at https://www.dundeecity.gov.uk/filming. Submit your dates, locations, crew numbers, and equipment list. Expect a risk-assessment request and, for larger shoots, a pre-filming meeting.