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Local Authority scotland

Filming in Edinburgh: permits and fees

Film Edinburgh is the production-facing office for Edinburgh, East Lothian, Midlothian, and the Scottish Borders, with current 2026 guidance and 2026-27 forms.

Who issues permits

City of Edinburgh Council issues permissions for public streets, parks, greenspaces, schools, cemeteries, parking, closures, and council-managed public areas. Film Edinburgh operates as the production-facing service, coordinating applications and directing productions to the correct forms. East Lothian and Scottish Borders have separate application forms but use the same Film Edinburgh contact.

Process

Download the Edinburgh Filming Application Form from the Film Edinburgh website. The 2026-27 Edinburgh form and 2026 filming guidelines are current on the permits page. East Lothian and Scottish Borders use a separate form also available on the site.

Allow at least 10 working days for standard applications. Productions filming during the Edinburgh Festival in August require significantly more lead time because the city is at full capacity and public-space availability is restricted.

Fees

Film Edinburgh’s advisory service is free. Council filming permits carry admin charges depending on scale. Commercial productions on council land are subject to hire fees negotiated with the relevant council property or events team.

What’s covered

Public streets throughout Edinburgh, council parks and greenspaces, civic buildings including the City Chambers, public squares including the Grassmarket and the Royal Mile, cemeteries, schools, parking dispensations, and public-space closures. East Lothian coastal and countryside locations and Scottish Borders access are available through companion application forms.

Typical restrictions

Crews should not obstruct pedestrians, pavements, or roads. For crews under 10 filming on the street without closures, Film Edinburgh can alert local officers and Police Scotland. Parks and greenspaces need at least 48 hours notice. Public area closures require at least two weeks notice for five days or less, and at least six weeks notice for more than five days. Public liability insurance and risk assessments may be required.

Common reasons applications are refused or delayed

Film Edinburgh’s team is supportive, but the Old Town and Royal Mile carry World Heritage Site obligations that limit flexibility. Applications that underestimate Edinburgh’s complexity, particularly around the Old Town’s noise rules and August availability, are the most common cause of refusal or heavy condition-loading.

  • Insurance certificate missing a public liability endorsement, or cover not confirmed for the specific outdoor locations listed
  • Risk assessment insufficient for night shooting in the Old Town, where pedestrian flow and uneven surfaces both need addressing
  • No evidence of notification or consent from directly affected traders or residents
  • Date conflict with a council-managed event or central Edinburgh activity during August
  • Application under the stated lead time during busy periods
  • Unresolved complaint at the location from a previous production

For shoots affecting shopfronts on the Royal Mile, Victoria Street, or the Grassmarket, Film Edinburgh will typically ask for evidence that directly affected traders have been made aware. Tenement residents overlooked by a lighting rig may need a notification letter rather than formal consent, but the film officer will advise based on the specific setup.

Escalation route if a permit decision is contested: Film Edinburgh film officer, then the relevant City of Edinburgh Council public-space or events route. Police Scotland handles road management for closures that affect wider traffic. Transport Scotland is the relevant authority for trunk roads.

Contact

Apply through Film Edinburgh -> filmedinburgh.org

FAQ

Who issues this filming permit?
City of Edinburgh Council / Film Edinburgh 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 10 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?
City of Edinburgh Council / Film Edinburgh 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 City of Edinburgh Council / Film Edinburgh's filming page at https://www.filmedinburgh.org/Filming/Permits. Submit your dates, locations, crew numbers, and equipment list. Expect a risk-assessment request and, for larger shoots, a pre-filming meeting.