Film crew hire/Edinburgh/Props and wardrobe
Props and wardrobe for Edinburgh shoots. Where it comes from, and who runs it on the day.
We couldn’t find a film costume store in Edinburgh, so period stock comes from Scottish Opera in Glasgow. What the city does have is a prop workshop and antiques warehouses in Leith, Highland dress hire from makers who go back to 1868, a licensed sword shop on West Bow and Westfield St James Quarter. Here’s where to go, how hire is charged, and what Film Edinburgh, Police Scotland and Historic Environment Scotland want to know about a replica gun. We book the stylist, props buyer or art director, and run it on the day.
Scottish Opera Costume Hire · Glasgow
10,000+ items
Replica weapons · Film Edinburgh
2 weeks’ notice
Picture cars 30+ years old · LEZ
Exempt
Stylist · day rate
£519–647
On this page
01 The people
Who runs props and wardrobe on a shoot
On a corporate interview in a New Town office, often nobody: the contributor wears their own clothes and the set is the meeting room. On a brand film or an advert, these are the people, at our day rates. We book them in and around Edinburgh first, and from elsewhere in Scotland, the north of England or London when the brief needs them, with the travel on the quote.
| Role | What they do | Day rate |
|---|---|---|
| Art director | Designs the look of the set and runs the art department | £675–878 |
| Props buyer | Finds, buys or hires everything on screen, and knows what Edinburgh has and what comes from Glasgow | £493–585 |
| Set builders | Build, paint and strike the set | £341–512 |
| Stylist | Chooses and fits the wardrobe for talent and contributors | £519–647 |
| Costume | Designs, sources and fits costume for period or character work | £519–694 |
| Wardrobe assistant | Dresses the cast and keeps continuity on the day | £341–398 |
| Hair and make-up | Gets people camera-ready, and keeps them that way | £398, plus a £25 kit fee |
| Armourer | Supplies and looks after any weapon on set, real or replica, agreed in advance with Police Scotland | Quoted on the brief |
Full production · Oslo, Norway · 2026
A stylist with a returns day
For the Oslo chapter of AI for Empowerment, the stylist was booked for a prep day, the shoot day and half a day for returns. Most styling jobs need all three, so all three go on the quote.
Crew hire · Canary Wharf, London · October 2024
A podcast set, dressed the day before
Two podcast episodes on three cameras moved to Level 48 of One Canada Square when the client’s own office fell through. We booked an art director the day before, with the sign-off of Magnet Media, the New York agency running the shoot, to dress the backgrounds and cover the logos in shot. The four microphones on black arms were props: the sound came from lavs and a boom.
How we crew it · Edinburgh
Bought in the city, hired in Leith and Glasgow
Contemporary wardrobe bought at St James Quarter with the receipts kept for returns, furniture and dressing from the prop and antiques warehouses in Leith, period costume pulled at Scottish Opera in Glasgow and fitted before the day, and the van on a £16 yellow-line dispensation (checked October 2026). Every purchase and hire is its own line on the quote.
02 Props
Prop hire and set dressing
Edinburgh has no big film prop house that we could find in October 2026. What Film Edinburgh’s production guide does list is a set and prop workshop with a hire warehouse in Leith, antique and salvage dealers, and a shopfitter that hires to film and TV. Glasgow’s prop houses are about 45 minutes away by train (checked October 2026).
Leith · 11 to 15 Pirrie Street, EH6 5HY
Carnival Chaos
A design and production studio that builds sets, stages, signs and props for film, theatre and events, with a warehouse of ready-made props to hire and crew for set construction.
Leith Links · 10 Pattison Street, EH6 7HF
Georgian Antiques
Furniture from the 1680s to the 1930s in two warehouses, hired to film and TV short or long term, or sold. A family business since 1978.
Duddingston · Holyrood Business Park, EH16 4AP
Holyrood Architectural Salvage
Edinburgh’s only architectural salvage yard, by its own account: antique fireplaces, cast iron radiators, doors, pews, handles and lighting, and reproductions where the originals have run out.
Longniddry, East Lothian · Seton Mains, EH32 0PG
EL Shopfitters
Shelving, counters, clothing rails and display units, sold new and used and hired to film and TV from a warehouse in East Lothian. Its credits include Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny and Avengers: Infinity War.
Glasgow · Port Dundas, G4 9XG
Titan Props
One of Scotland’s largest collections of props and curios for film and TV, by its own account: hand props, furniture and unusual sculptures. Only part of the stock is online, so visit the warehouse.
Glasgow · 85 Clydeholm Road, G14 0QQ
Prop Hire Scotland
Large and small props, scenery and Steeldeck staging, hired to film and TV as well as theatre, with stage managers, set builders and prop makers on the team.
Worth knowing
Film Edinburgh’s Code of Practice asks productions to give location owners the details of any art department work, dressing and construction included, never to move a location’s own things without the owner’s say-so, and to put back everything removed or disguised. At the Castle or in Holyrood Park, Historic Environment Scotland wants the set dressing described on the application, and without Scheduled Monument Consent nothing is fixed to the stonework or pushed into the ground: stands go on rubber feet (checked October 2026). Code of Practice for Filming in Edinburgh · Historic Environment Scotland on filming.
03 Wardrobe
Costume and wardrobe
We couldn’t find a film costume hire store in Edinburgh with a live site in October 2026. The big period stock nearby is Scottish Opera’s, in Glasgow. Highland dress is hired in Leith, and Film Edinburgh’s guide lists a theatrical milliner in the city and costume with the horses in the Borders. Book the fitting before you book the shoot.
Glasgow · Scottish Opera
Scottish Opera Costume Hire
More than 10,000 items made by its own costume department: Tudor and Elizabethan, 18th-century dresses and suits, Regency, Victorian and Edwardian, military, ceremonial and classical costume, with hats and accessories. Hired for film, television and photoshoots as well as the stage.
Leith · Kilt hire
Kinloch Anderson
Makers of Highland dress in Edinburgh since 1868. Kilt hire in nine tartans, with Prince Charlie, Argyll and tweed jackets, and the sporran, sgian dubh, brogues and hose in the package. Hire is set up for weddings and events, so ask whether a shoot qualifies.
Gayfield Square · EH1 3NT
Sally-Ann Provan
A theatrical and film milliner with more than 25 years of headwear for film, TV, advertising, opera, ballet and theatre, for principals and background artists alike. Clients include Netflix, the BBC, Scottish Opera and Scottish Ballet.
Jedburgh, Scottish Borders
Film Horses Scotland
Horses and riders for period work, with historical tack, carriages and costume, stunt-trained horses and riders who have worked on productions such as Game of Thrones and Outlander.
Our crew
Stylists, costume and make-up
We book costume designers and stylists, and hair and make-up artists, with the rest of the crew. Wardrobe runs the fittings before the day, and the rails and continuity photos on it.
04 In the city
What a stylist buys in Edinburgh
Westfield St James Quarter
Near Princes Street and Waverley, with John Lewis, COS, Zara, Mango, & Other Stories and Sephora under one roof. A contemporary wardrobe can be bought in a morning; the stylist keeps the receipts and returns what doesn’t go on camera. St James Quarter.
Vintage
W. Armstrong & Son, established in 1840 by its own account, calls itself one of the UK’s oldest vintage clothing stores: for a look that belongs to its decade without being costume. Armstrongs.
Antiques in the New Town
Unicorn Antiques on Dundas Street is in Film Edinburgh’s guide for props. In its own words it stocks “every sort of item imaginable”, and it takes requests by email. Unicorn Antiques.
Filming in the shops
Film Edinburgh’s general guide names Multrees Walk and the terrace of Princes Mall, along with the city’s parks and beaches, as places that need permission to film. Inside a shop, ask the shop. Filming in Edinburgh: a general guide · Locations and permits in Edinburgh.
Single-use plastics
The Film Edinburgh application has the production confirm it will keep to Scotland’s ban. Since 1 June 2022 it has been an offence for a business to supply plastic cutlery, plates, stirrers, straws or balloon sticks, or expanded polystyrene food boxes and cups, with a fine of up to £5,000 (checked October 2026). That covers the caterer and the crew’s tea table; if a scene needs them on screen, tell the props buyer early. Film Edinburgh’s guide lists Vegware, an Edinburgh maker of compostable food packaging. The Scottish Government on the ban.
A fitting in Glasgow
When the period stock is at Scottish Opera, Glasgow is about 45 minutes away on the fastest trains, so the stylist can be at the fitting and back the same day. London’s costume houses are further: King’s Cross is about 4 hours 10 minutes from Waverley (checked October 2026).
05 Specialist
Replica weapons, uniforms, vehicles and the street
Weapons
Film Edinburgh’s Code of Practice is plain: no weapons or firearms of any kind, prop and replica guns included, are used without agreement in advance between the production and Police Scotland, indoors or out, on public or private property. A live-firing weapon needs its licence holder or a registered firearms dealer on set, and the code recommends the same for blank-firers. The general guide wants at least two weeks’ notice where weapons, real or replica, violence or police uniforms are involved, against 24 hours for a low-impact shoot with none, and the application asks for them in each scene’s description (checked October 2026). Code of Practice for Filming in Edinburgh.
The Castle and Holyrood Park
Historic Environment Scotland lets prop swords and other bladed weapons on site if they’re blunted and risk assessed, and wants to see the certificate for any replica gun before filming begins. Edinburgh Castle has a military presence and works in partnership with the Ministry of Defence, which is told of every request to use replica weapons there and may ask to inspect them (checked October 2026). Historic Environment Scotland on filming · The Castle and Holyrood Park.
The armourer
Film Edinburgh’s crew directory had no armourers listed in October 2026, so book one early. HSE’s guidance says an armourer will normally be a registered firearms dealer, that weapons able to fire live rounds should never go to set, and that blades are blunted unless they have to cut something in shot. If a weapon could be seen or heard in a public place, the local police are told and the crew briefed on what to do if an armed response team turns up. HSE on firearms and weapons in film and TV.
The law
Section 12 of the Firearms Act 1968, which applies in Scotland, lets someone taking part in a film production have a firearm for it without a certificate. Scotland also licenses air weapons, and the Air Weapons and Licensing (Scotland) Act 2015 exempts anyone taking part in a film for cinema or television. Selling a realistic imitation firearm is an offence across Great Britain, with a defence for film and TV production. Firearms Act 1968, section 12 · Air Weapons and Licensing (Scotland) Act 2015.
Blades and the sgian dubh
In Scotland, having anything with a blade or a sharp point in a public place is an offence without a reasonable excuse or lawful authority, and the law names three defences: use at work, religious reasons and “part of any national costume”, which is where a sgian dubh in a kilt hose sits. A prop sword on the Royal Mile is agreed with Police Scotland first. Criminal Law (Consolidation) (Scotland) Act 1995, section 49.
Uniforms
The code asks for Police Scotland’s guidance before an actor wears police uniform or a police lookalike car is used, notes that impersonating a police officer is an offence, and wants uniforms covered between takes. Fire and ambulance uniforms, and lookalike fire engines and ambulances, are declared to the emergency services the same way.
Stunts and effects
Staged crimes and accidents go to Police Scotland for guidance. Stunts need a Joint Industry Stunt Committee co-ordinator and effects a JIGS-graded supervisor, each with a risk assessment and method statement and the neighbours told. On a minor road for five days or fewer, allow two weeks after a joint agency meeting; on a main road or for longer, eight. At Historic Environment Scotland’s sites, smoke and other effects are judged case by case, and the application gives their chemical composition (checked October 2026).
Picture cars and the Low Emission Zone
A vehicle of historical interest, made or first registered at least 30 years ago, no longer in production and kept in its original state, is exempt, and most are exempt automatically; if the checker disagrees, the council takes the V5C and a photo by email. Anything younger that isn’t Euro 4 petrol or Euro 6 diesel is sent the £60 penalty, and the council runs a no local exemptions policy (checked October 2026). The council on LEZ exemptions.
Changing the street
With the council’s agreement, yellow lines and road markings can be covered with loose material or water-soluble paint, then put back to its satisfaction. Bollards, street lamps, bus stop signs, bike racks and street signs can come down with at least a week’s notice, normally by the council at cost, and the code points out that dressing a bus shelter may be cheaper than removing it. A street lighting electrician in attendance is £90.28 for the first hour (checked October 2026).
06 Costs
How prop and costume hire is charged
By the week
Scottish Opera hires costume with a one-week minimum and a £45 + VAT minimum on any transaction. Shoes and wigs only go out under specific conditions, and student or charitable work gets 25% off (checked October 2026). Scottish Opera costume hire.
Five-day hire
Carnival Chaos hires props for five days unless agreed otherwise, with a minimum order of £150 + VAT collected from Pirrie Street or £250 + VAT delivered. Delivery is £1 + VAT a mile from the warehouse, more in the evenings and at weekends (checked October 2026). Carnival Chaos hire terms.
On request
Titan Props doesn’t publish prices: send your list through its online cart and it quotes, with discounts for students and charities. EL Shopfitters quotes each hire by phone.
Highland dress
A full Kinloch Anderson hire outfit is £150 for four days, with single pieces priced separately; hire five full outfits and the fifth is free (checked October 2026). Kinloch Anderson kilt hire.
Damage and returns
At Carnival Chaos, anything lost or broken beyond repair is charged at cost price, and anything repairable at the repair cost, both within seven days; everything goes back in the packaging it left in. Ask each house what its hire covers and what your insurance has to, before anything leaves the building.
Cancellation
Carnival Chaos refunds a cancellation more than 30 days out less 25% of the hire and a £50 admin fee. Inside 30 days, only the delivery and collection charges come back.
The van
Inside the Low Emission Zone a van has to meet Euro 6 diesel or Euro 4 petrol, or it’s sent a £60 penalty, so we only book vans that meet it. A yellow-line dispensation is £16 a vehicle with at least 24 hours’ notice, and a suspended bay costs the pay-and-display rate for every hour it’s out of use (checked October 2026). Shoot logistics in Edinburgh.
On our quote
Purchases and hires go on at cost, each on its own line, with the prep and returns days most jobs need. On a crew hire they carry our 10% booking fee and 2% insurance, like everything else we book. Returns are scheduled like a shoot day, so hire charges don’t run on.
Need props or wardrobe?
Tell us what’s in the frame. We’ll book the stylist, buyer or art director, buy it in Edinburgh or bring it from Glasgow, and put each item on the quote. Or call us on 07412 543822.
Quick contact form
07 Questions
Props and wardrobe in Edinburgh: questions
Where can I hire props in Edinburgh?
Film Edinburgh’s production guide lists the city’s prop sources. In Leith, Carnival Chaos builds sets and props and has a warehouse of props to hire, and Georgian Antiques hires period furniture to film and TV. Holyrood Architectural Salvage sells fireplaces, doors and pews, and EL Shopfitters in East Lothian hires shop fittings. For a bigger order, Glasgow’s prop houses, Titan Props and Prop Hire Scotland among them, are about 45 minutes away by train (checked October 2026).
Where can I hire costumes in Edinburgh?
We couldn’t find a film costume hire store in the city with a live site in October 2026. The nearest big stock is Scottish Opera’s, in Glasgow: more than 10,000 items, Tudor to Edwardian, military and ceremonial, hired for film and TV with a one-week minimum (checked October 2026). Highland dress is hired from Kinloch Anderson in Leith, contemporary clothes are bought in the city, and a stylist can be at a fitting in Glasgow and back the same day.
How much does prop and costume hire cost in Edinburgh?
It depends on the house. Scottish Opera hires costume with a one-week minimum and a £45 + VAT minimum on any transaction. Carnival Chaos hires props for five days, with a £150 + VAT minimum collected from Leith or £250 + VAT delivered. A full Highland dress outfit from Kinloch Anderson is £150 for four days, and Titan Props quotes from your list. All checked October 2026. Through us, each goes on the quote at cost, on its own line.
Can I use a replica gun on a shoot in Edinburgh?
Yes, agreed in advance. Film Edinburgh’s Code of Practice says no weapons or firearms of any kind, prop and replica guns included, are used without agreement between the production and Police Scotland, on public or private property, and its general guide asks for at least two weeks’ notice. At Edinburgh Castle and in Holyrood Park, Historic Environment Scotland wants to see the certificate for any replica gun before filming begins, and at the Castle the Ministry of Defence is told and may inspect it (checked October 2026). An armourer supplies the weapon and looks after it on set.
Can we hire kilts for a shoot in Edinburgh?
Kinloch Anderson in Leith, makers of Highland dress since 1868, hires kilts in nine tartans with Prince Charlie, Argyll or tweed jackets, and the package includes the sporran, sgian dubh, brogues and hose. A full outfit is £150 for four days, and if you hire five, the fifth is free (checked October 2026). Its hire is set up for weddings and events, so ask whether a shoot qualifies. The sgian dubh is a blade, and Scots law names “part of any national costume” as a defence for having one in a public place.
Can actors wear police uniform on an Edinburgh street?
Yes, with Police Scotland’s guidance first. Film Edinburgh’s Code of Practice notes that impersonating a police officer is an offence and asks for uniforms to be covered between takes, and a police lookalike car gets the same guidance. Fire and ambulance uniforms and vehicles are declared to the emergency services. Allow at least two weeks’ notice where police uniforms are involved (checked October 2026).
Do picture cars have to meet Edinburgh’s Low Emission Zone?
Not if they’re historic. A vehicle made or first registered at least 30 years ago, no longer in production and kept in its original state is exempt, and most are exempt automatically. Anything younger that isn’t Euro 4 petrol or Euro 6 diesel is sent a £60 penalty, and the council doesn’t grant local exemptions as a rule (checked October 2026). We check every vehicle before it’s booked.
Do you supply stylists and hair and make-up?
Yes, booked with the rest of the crew. A stylist is £519–647 a day, a costume designer £519–694 and hair and make-up £398, paid in full to the crew member, before our 10% booking fee and 2% insurance. Most styling jobs need a prep day and a returns day as well as the shoot, and both go on the quote.
Around the crew
More for Edinburgh shoots
01
Kit rental
Kit houses in Leith and out towards the airport, the crew’s own kit, and what comes from Glasgow or London.
02
Locations and permits
Film Edinburgh, Historic Environment Scotland, Waverley, the kirkyards, the trams and the drone rules.
03
Studios and set builds
FirstStage in Leith, smaller studios for interviews and product, and set builds.
