Freelance Work in Scotland

Rates

The following rates should be considered as minimum terms when working on freelance writing engagements for theatre in Scotland, particularly when working outside a standard play commission contract. The bands may apply to a range activity such as dramaturgy, script consulting, and translating work.

These minimum terms rates may also be a useful reference when budgeting your time in funding applications for personal development or self-led projects.

If negotiation takes place, the minimum a freelance writer should expect to be paid is £140 per day, in-line with the minimum daily attendance rate agreed with FST during contract negotiations in 2026. This is 30% higher than the current Living Wage (April 2026), and recognises the efforts of our labour and profession.

You might consider accepting a discounted rate when longer weekly or monthly commitments are offered. You should ensure any fees quoted do not fall below the Living Wage for the volume of work estimated, and secure the rate with an appropriate contract that covers the duration of the project.

Dramaturgy Best Practice Guidelines

In 2009, the SSP created a set of payment guidelines for playwrights working in a devising setting, as a dramaturg, as part of the devising process, or in any capacity where the traditional FST/SSP commissioning contract is inappropriate. These dramaturgy rates of pay were agreed by the SSP AGM in June 2009 – though were not ratified at the time by the FST.

Following demand from members and industry stakeholders, we took the intermediate step of updating the 2009 figures in line with inflation in 2018. These recommended time-based rates were uplifted once again in 2026 by 10%.

We hope these bands will provide guidance when quoting for freelance writing services.

A dual approach has been adopted since 2009, based on the professional status of playwrights being equivalent to others involved in the theatre making process.

a) A time based approach

Where a playwright is being employed on a consultation basis, whether in rehearsals, workshops or otherwise, and where the primary role of the playwright is NOT the SOLE production by the playwright of a script, we recommend that our members accept fees within the bands quoted above.

b) A script based approach

Where a playwright is involved in a process of collective devising or adaptation, but will ultimately have SOLE responsibility for producing the script, the engagement should be based on the standard play commissioning agreement, but with altered participation being negotiated in relation to:

• first, the initial treatment stage, to reflect the playwright’s level of involvement at that point, with the script being paid for through the standard stages of First Draft, Acceptance of First Draft and Agreement to Proceed, and Delivery of Final Draft; and
• second, royalties, providing that the playwright’s participation in the initial treatment and royalties phases of the agreement is not less than 50% of the current commissioning agreement rate.

The model upon which this is based is the separation of the notion of authorship of the IDEA, on the one hand, and the professional work of producing a script on the other. The SSP position is that the professional work of producing a script is not of diminished value, no matter the origin of the material that is being worked into a script.

Therefore, it is in the area of rights and ownership that flexibility is required on behalf of the writer if the show is “authored” by a collective process.

Translation Guidelines

Translations of a play from another language into English, Scots or Gaelic are typically treated as a standard new play commission, and should use the appropriate FST or NTS contract. This is often straightforward when the source play in its originating language is now in the public domain.

Adjustments may be necessary to participation and royalty clauses when a source play is not yet in the public domain. Additional permissions, licence arrangements, and fees may be applicable to the original playwright or their estate.

Models such as the Traverse Theatre’s 2000-2007 ‘Playwrights in Partnership’ scheme worked by pairing Scottish playwrights with living writers from other countries, and approached the translation commission on collaborative terms. The updated FST and NST contracts can accommodate this type of commission, subject to securing appropriate permissions and negotiating the participation and royalty clauses with the copyright holder.

Where a translator is asked to consult on a script or produce a segment of translation on a time basis, we recommend quoting in-line with the freelance rates above.

If you need further information or advice, please contact us.

Guide to Freelancing in Scotland

If you are looking for general advice on Freelancing in Scotland, The Illustrated Freelancer’s Guide published by Creative Scotland is an excellent starting point. It covers everything from your legal rights and getting set up, to managing your tax affairs and invoicing.

It was recently updated for 2026/27, and includes updates on Making Tax Digital.

Accessible versions available on the Creative Scotland website: The Illustrated Freelancer’s Guide | Creative Scotland