There are five main holiday breaks during the academic year, the official Dumfries and Galloway School Holidays published by the Dumfries and Galloway Council. The annual school calendar includes the autumn holiday, spring holiday, summer holiday, May Day holiday, and midterm holiday, as well as in-service days and staff training days.
This page, Dumfries and Galloway School Holidays, provides the latest local authority dates and Scottish school holidays for schools across Scotland. Families can use this school year planner to organise family holidays and stay updated throughout the school year.
Dumfries and Galloway School Holidays 2026/2027
The 2026/2027 academic year runs from August 2026 through to July 2027, split into four terms with breaks in between. Here’s what the Dumfries and Galloway school holidays look like.
Autumn Term 2026
- First day: Thursday 20 August 2026
- Last day: Friday 9 October 2026
- Autumn holiday (October break): Monday 12 October to Friday 23 October 2026
Spring Term 2027
- First day: Wednesday 6 January 2027
- School closed for staff training: Thursday 18 and Friday 19 February 2027
- Last day: Thursday 25 March 2027
- Spring holiday (Easter break): Friday 26 March to Friday 9 April 2027
Summer Term 2027
- First day: Monday 12 April 2027
- May Day holiday: Monday 3 May 2027
- School closed for staff training: Friday 28 May 2027
- Last day: Friday 2 July 2027
- Summer holiday: Monday 5 July to Friday 20 August 2027
Find UK School Holidays by Council
Looking for official school holiday dates across the UK? Browse our complete guide to UK school holidays organised by council so you can quickly find accurate term dates and plan family activities with confidence.
Check more: Scotland School Holidays
Dumfries and Galloway School Holidays 2027/2028
Here are the confirmed Dumfries and Galloway school holidays for 2027/2028.
Autumn Term 2027
This term starts a little later than the previous year, and the autumn break falls a week later too.
- First day: Monday 23 August 2027
- Last day: Friday 8 October 2027
- Autumn holiday: Monday 11 October to Friday 22 October 2027
Spring Term 2028
The spring term in 2028 sees a mid-term break in February, then the usual two-week Easter holiday.
- First day: Thursday 6 January 2028
- Mid-term holiday: Friday 18 February and Monday 21 February 2028
- Last day: Friday 7 April 2028
- Spring holiday: Monday 10 April to Friday 21 April 2028
Summer Term 2028
The summer term is shorter in 2028, finishing at the end of June with a slightly truncated summer break.
- First day: Monday 24 April 2028
- May Day holiday: Monday 1 May 2028
- School closed for staff training: Monday 29 May 2028
- Last day: Friday 30 June 2028
- Summer holiday: Monday 3 July to Thursday 17 August 2028
That’s just over six weeks of summer holidays—still plenty of time for fun, but a bit shorter than the previous year.
Staff Training Days (Inset Days)
Staff training days—also called in-service days or inset days—are when schools close to pupils so teachers can train, plan, and develop their skills. For the 2026/2027 year, these fall on:
- Thursday 18 and Friday 19 February 2027
- Friday 28 May 2027
For the 2027/2028 year, the confirmed training day is:
- Monday 29 May 2028
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.
Also Check: Glasgow School Holidays
Useful Resources
For the most up-to-date information directly from the source, we recommend checking:
- Dumfries and Galloway Council
FAQs
How far in advance are Dumfries and Galloway school holiday dates released?
The council typically publishes term dates at least a year in advance, usually around the spring or early summer before the academic year begins.
Can individual schools change their term dates in Dumfries and Galloway?
Generally no—term dates are set by the local authority, but individual schools may adjust staff training days, so always double-check with your specific school.
What happens if a school is closed for an emergency during term time?
In the event of severe weather or other emergencies, the council announces closures on their website and local radio—so it’s worth keeping an eye out.
Do private schools in Dumfries and Galloway follow the same term dates?
Not necessarily—independent schools often set their own calendars, so it’s best to check directly with the school if your child attends one.
Is there a standard number of school days in Dumfries and Galloway each year?
Yes, Scottish schools typically have around 190 teaching days per academic year, with the remainder allocated to staff training and public holidays.