Scotland follows a distinct academic calendar, different from England and Wales. This page provides Scotland school holidays and term dates used by most local councils.
Dates may vary slightly between councils, so always confirm locally.
Scotland School Holidays 2025/2026
This section provides the confirmed and projected term dates for the 2025-2026 academic year, helping you plan family activities, childcare, and holidays well in advance.
2025-2026 Term Dates
Here is the detailed Scotland School Holidays calendar for the 2025-2026 school year.
| Term | Projected Start Date | Projected End Date |
|---|---|---|
| Autumn Term 2025 | Monday 18 August 2025 | Friday 19 December 2025 |
| Spring Term 2026 | Wednesday 7 January 2026 | Thursday 2 April 2026 |
| Summer Term 2026 | Monday 20 April 2026 | Friday 3 July 2026 |
2025-2026 Bank Holidays
Bank holidays are days when schools and most businesses are closed.
| Bank Holiday | Date |
|---|---|
| New Year’s Day | Thursday 1 January 2026 |
| 2nd January | Friday 2 January 2026 |
| Good Friday | Friday 3 April 2026 |
| May Day | Monday 4 May 2026 |
| Spring Bank Holiday | Monday 25 May 2026 |
| Summer Bank Holiday | Monday 3 August 2026 |
| St Andrew’s Day | Monday 30 November 2026 |
| Christmas Day | Friday 25 December 2026 |
| Boxing Day | Monday 28 December 2026 |
Scotland School Holidays 2026/2027
Here is the detailed Scotland School Holidays calendar for the 2026-2027 school year.
2026-2027 Term Dates
| Term | Start Date | End Date |
|---|---|---|
| Autumn Term 2026 | Wed 19 Aug 2026 (Pupils) | Tue 22 Dec 2026 |
| Winter/Spring Term 2027 | Wed 6 Jan 2027 | Fri 2 Apr 2027 |
| Summer Term 2027 | Mon 19 Apr 2027 | Thu 1 Jul 2027 |
2026-2027 Bank Holidays
| Bank Holiday | Date |
|---|---|
| New Year’s Day | Friday 1 January 2027 |
| 2nd January | Monday 4 January 2027 |
| Good Friday | Friday 26 March 2027 |
| May Day | Monday 3 May 2027 |
| Spring Bank Holiday | Monday 31 May 2027 |
| Summer Bank Holiday | Monday 2 August 2027 |
| St Andrew’s Day | Tuesday 30 November 2026 |
| Christmas Day | Monday 27 December 2027* |
| Boxing Day | Tuesday 28 December 2027* |
Christmas Day and Boxing Day 2027 fall on weekends; these are the substitute bank holiday dates.
Have a Question About School Holiday Dates?
If you’ve spotted an issue, need clarification, or have a question about UK school holidays or term dates, feel free to get in touch with us.
Detailed 2026 to 2027 Academic Calendar
Let’s break down the official 2026-2027 academic year into a simple, month-by-month overview. Think of this as your at-a-glance planning timeline.
- August 2026: The year begins! Staff resume on Mon 17 & Tue 18 Aug for In-service days. Pupils resume on Wed 19 Aug.
- October 2026: Enjoy the October holiday from Mon 12 to Fri 16 Oct. Pupils resume after holiday on Tue 20 Oct.
- November 2026: Schools are closed for St Andrew’s Day holiday on Mon 30 Nov.
- December 2026/January 2027: The last day of term is Tue 22 Dec. The Christmas holidays run from Wed 23 Dec to Tue 5 Jan 2027. All resume on Wed 6 Jan.
- February 2027: The February mid-term break is from Mon 8 to Fri 12 Feb. Pupils resume on Tue 16 Feb.
- March/April 2027: Good Friday holiday is on Fri 26 Mar. The last day of term is Fri 2 Apr. The Easter holidays run from Mon 5 Apr to Fri 16 Apr.
- May 2027: May Day holiday is on Mon 3 May. Pupils resume on Wed 5 May.
- July 2027: The last day of term is Thu 1 Jul.
Staff Development Days (Inset Days)
These are crucial for planning childcare. In 2026-2027, staff return before pupils in August, October, February, and May. Mark these In-service days on your calendar: 17-18 Aug 2026, 19 Oct 2026, 15 Feb 2027, and 4 May 2027.
Key Dates for Parents and Staff
- First Day for Pupils: Wednesday, 19 August 2026.
- Major Holiday Periods: Christmas (approx. 2 weeks), Easter (approx. 2 weeks), and October & February mid-term breaks (1 week each).
- Local Variations: Be aware of Casual holidays Scottish Borders and Common Riding Friday. These council-specific holidays mean schools closed in one town may be open in another. Always check your local council dates.
Scotland’s school calendar is unique and council-specific. Always verify dates before finalising plans.
School Holidays by Council Area in Scotland
Official Links
- Find your specific local council dates via the Scottish Local Council Finder.
- For general guidance on education in Scotland.
FAQs
Are Scottish term dates the same across councils?
No. Councils set their own dates.
Do Scottish schools observe UK bank holidays?
Yes, but dates may differ.
Are half-term dates used in Scotland?
Some councils use mid-term breaks.
Do inset days affect pupils?
Yes. Pupils do not attend.
Do all schools in Scotland have the same holidays?
No. While the structure is similar, school holiday dates by council can vary, especially for local events and In-service days Scotland. Always verify with your local authority.
What is a Common Riding holiday?
It’s a type of local festival school holiday specific to towns like Hawick and Selkirk, granting a day off for the traditional Common Riding event.
Are bank holidays always school holidays?
Yes, standard bank holidays like Good Friday and May Day are school closure dates. Always check for rare exceptions with your council.