There are five key holiday periods in the school year, giving families structured breaks to plan ahead. The Highland School Holidays calendar includes summer, Christmas, Easter, and two half-term breaks across the academic session.
Keeping track of the official Highland School holidays and term dates helps parents organise childcare, travel, and important family events. Clear information about start dates and in-service days ensures there are no surprises during the year.
This page provides up-to-date and reliable details on Highland School Holidays and Term Dates, all in one place. It’s designed to make planning easier and help families stay prepared throughout the school year.
Highland School Holidays 2025/2026
Here are the confirmed Highland School Holidays and Term Dates for the 2025-2026 academic calendar.
2025-2026 Term Dates
| Term | Start Date | End Date |
|---|---|---|
| Autumn Term | Monday 18 August 2025 | Friday 10 October 2025 |
| October Holidays | Monday 13 October 2025 | Friday 24 October 2025 |
| Winter Term | Monday 27 October 2025 | Wednesday 23 December 2025 |
| Christmas Holidays | Thursday 24 December 2025 | Tuesday 6 January 2026 |
| Spring Term | Wednesday 7 January 2026 | Thursday 26 March 2026 |
| February Break | Monday 16 February 2026 | Tuesday 17 February 2026 |
| Easter Holidays | Friday 27 March 2026 | Friday 10 April 2026 |
| Summer Term | Monday 13 April 2026 | Thursday 2 July 2026 |
| May Day | Monday 4 May 2026 | School Closed |
| Summer Holidays | Friday 3 July 2026 | Starts |
2025-2026 Bank Holidays
| Bank Holiday | Date |
|---|---|
| St Andrew’s Day | Monday 1 December 2025 |
| Christmas Day | Thursday 25 December 2025 |
| Boxing Day | Friday 26 December 2025 |
| New Year’s Day | Thursday 1 January 2026 |
| January 2nd | Friday 2 January 2026 |
| Good Friday | Friday 3 April 2026 |
| Early May Bank Holiday | Monday 4 May 2026 |
| Spring Bank Holiday | Monday 25 May 2026 |
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.
Highland School Holidays 2026/2027
Here are Highland School Holidays and Term Dates for the 2026-2027 academic year.
2026-2027 Term Dates
| Term | Start Date | End Date |
|---|---|---|
| Autumn Term | Monday 17 August 2026 | Friday 9 October 2026 |
| October Holidays | Monday 12 October 2026 | Friday 23 October 2026 |
| Winter Term | Monday 26 October 2026 | Wednesday 23 December 2026 |
| Christmas Holidays | Thursday 24 December 2026 | Wednesday 6 January 2027 |
| Spring Term | Thursday 7 January 2027 | Thursday 25 March 2027 |
| February Break | Monday 15 February 2027 | Tuesday 16 February 2027 |
| Easter Holidays | Friday 26 March 2027 | Friday 9 April 2027 |
| Summer Term | Monday 12 April 2027 | Thursday 1 July 2027 |
| May Day | Monday 3 May 2027 | School Closed |
| Summer Holidays | Friday 2 July 2027 | Starts |
2026-2027 Bank Holidays
| Bank Holiday | Date |
|---|---|
| St Andrew’s Day | Tuesday 1 December 2026 |
| Christmas Day | Friday 25 December 2026 |
| Boxing Day | Saturday 26 December 2026 |
| New Year’s Day | Friday 1 January 2027 |
| January 2nd | Saturday 2 January 2027 |
| Good Friday | Friday 26 March 2027 |
| Early May Bank Holiday | Monday 3 May 2027 |
| Spring Bank Holiday | Monday 31 May 2027 |
Highland School Holidays 2027/2028
Here are the projected Highland School Holidays and Term Dates for the 2027-2028 academic calendar.
2027-2028 Term Dates
| Term | Start Date | End Date |
|---|---|---|
| Autumn Term | Monday 16 August 2027 | Friday 8 October 2027 |
| October Holidays | Monday 11 October 2027 | Friday 22 October 2027 |
| Winter Term | Monday 25 October 2027 | Wednesday 22 December 2027 |
| Christmas Holidays | Thursday 23 December 2027 | Wednesday 5 January 2028 |
| Spring Term | Thursday 6 January 2028 | Thursday 23 March 2028 |
| February Break | Monday 14 February 2028 | Tuesday 15 February 2028 |
| Easter Holidays | Friday 24 March 2028 | Friday 7 April 2028 |
| Summer Term | Monday 10 April 2028 | Thursday 29 June 2028 |
| May Day | Monday 1 May 2028 | School Closed |
| Summer Holidays | Friday 30 June 2028 | Starts |
2027-2028 Bank Holidays
| Bank Holiday | Date |
|---|---|
| St Andrew’s Day | Wednesday 1 December 2027 |
| Christmas Day | Saturday 25 December 2027 |
| Boxing Day | Monday 27 December 2027 |
| New Year’s Day | Saturday 1 January 2028 |
| January 2nd | Monday 3 January 2028 |
| Good Friday | Friday 24 March 2028 |
| Early May Bank Holiday | Monday 1 May 2028 |
| Spring Bank Holiday | 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.
Highland School In-Service Days (Closures)
In-service days (also called inset days in Highland or teacher training days) are when school is closed to students, but staff are working. These days focus on professional development, curriculum planning, and administrative tasks.
Upcoming In-Service Days 2026-2028
| Academic Year | Typical In-Service Dates |
|---|---|
| 2026-2027 | August 2026, February 2027, May 2027 |
| 2027-2028 | August 2027, February 2028, May 2028 |
Key Rules for Term-Time Holidays in Highland
Highland Council strictly enforces the Scottish Government guidelines on term-time holidays. Here’s what you need to know:
- No automatic right: Parents do not have an automatic right to take children out of school during term time
- Headteacher approval: Any leave must be approved by the headteacher in advance
- Exceptional circumstances: Leave is only granted in exceptional circumstances
- Penalties: Unauthorised absence can result in fixed penalty notices
- Attendance matters: Regular attendance is crucial for educational progress
Always check with your child’s school before booking any school breaks in Scotland during term time.
More School Holidays
- Scotland School Holidays
- Glasgow School Holidays
- Fife School Holidays
- Dundee School Holidays
- Aberdeen School Holidays
- Renfrewshire School Holidays
- South Ayrshire School Holidays
- South Lanarkshire School Holidays
Useful Resources
Highland Council:
For official confirmations and the most up-to-date information:
FAQs
Are schools closed on May Day in Highland?
Yes, schools are closed on May Day. This is a statutory bank holiday across Scotland, and all Highland Council schools are closed to pupils.
How long is the October break in Highland?
The October break is two full weeks. Pupils are off for 14 consecutive days, including weekends.
When do pupils return after the Christmas holidays?
Pupils return in early January. Typically the first Wednesday after January 2nd, unless this falls on a weekend.
What’s the difference between an in-service day and a holiday?
In-service days are for staff training, not pupil holidays. Schools are closed to pupils, but staff work on planning and professional development.
Can I take my child on holiday during term time?
Only in exceptional circumstances with headteacher approval. Term-time holidays are not automatically permitted and may result in penalty fines.
When is the February break in Highland?
February break is usually a Monday and Tuesday in mid-February. These two days give pupils a short mid-term break.
Do all Highland schools have the same in-service days?
Most follow the council schedule, but individual schools may vary. Always check your specific school’s calendar for confirmed dates.