There are five main holiday breaks during the academic session, the official Shetland Islands School Holidays and Term Dates published by the Shetland Islands Council. The yearly school calendar includes the autumn term, half-term, Christmas holidays, spring holidays, Easter holidays, summer holidays, winter holidays, May Day holiday, occasional holidays, and in-service days, providing complete information for Scottish school holidays.
Families can use the calendar to plan their vacation, enjoy walking holidays, explore local tourism and wildlife, and stay informed about public holidays in Shetland throughout the school year.
Shetland Islands School Holidays 2026/2027
Here are the Shetland Islands school holidays and term dates for the 2026-2027 academic year. All dates are inclusive unless stated otherwise.
| Term | Start Date | End Date |
|---|---|---|
| Term 1 (Autumn Term) | Wednesday, 19 August 2026 | Friday, 9 October 2026 |
| Term 2 (Winter/Christmas) | Wednesday, 28 October 2026 | Friday, 18 December 2026 |
| Term 3 (Spring Term) | Tuesday, 5 January 2027 | Wednesday, 24 March 2027 |
| Term 4 (Summer Term) | Wednesday, 7 April 2027 | Friday, 2 July 2027 |
Occasional Holiday Dates 2026/2027
- Wednesday 27 January 2027
- Friday 12 February 2027
- Monday 15 February 2027 (Winter holidays)
- Friday 21 May 2027 (May Day holiday)
- 1 Floating Day (set by schools)
In-Service Dates 2026/2027
- Monday 17 August 2026
- Tuesday 18 August 2026
- Monday 26 October 2026
- Tuesday 27 October 2026
- Tuesday 16 February 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: PKC School Holidays
Shetland Islands School Holidays 2027/2028
Here are the confirmed Shetland Islands school holidays for the 2027/2028 academic session, as provided by the Shetland Islands Council.
| Term | Start Date | End Date |
|---|---|---|
| Term 1 (Autumn Term) | Wednesday, 18 August 2027 | Friday, 8 October 2027 |
| Term 2 (Winter/Christmas) | Wednesday, 27 October 2027 | Tuesday, 21 December 2027 |
| Term 3 (Spring Term) | Wednesday, 5 January 2028 | Friday, 31 March 2028 |
| Term 4 (Summer Term) | Tuesday, 18 April 2028 | Friday, 30 June 2028 |
Occasional Holiday Dates 2027/2028
- Wednesday 26 January 2028
- Friday 18 February 2028
- Monday 17 April 2028
- Friday 19 May 2028
- 1 Floating Day (set by schools)
In-Service Dates 2027/2028
- Monday 16 August 2027
- Tuesday 17 August 2027
- Monday 25 October 2027
- Tuesday 26 October 2027
- Monday 21 February 2028
Planning Your Year Around Shetland Islands School Holidays
The Shetland Islands are a unique archipelago in Scotland. While the school holidays are the primary focus for local families, they also have a significant impact on local tourism and vacation planning. As a result, planning your year effectively means understanding when these peak holiday periods fall.
- Autumn Term:Â This begins with in-service days in August and runs until the October half-term break. The dates for the Autumn holidays are clearly marked as Term 1 and Term 2 in the tables above.
- Christmas holidays:Â For both 2026 and 2027, Term 2 ends in mid-December, providing a two-week break for the festive season.
- Spring holidays:Â Following the Easter weekend, the spring holidays (Easter holidays) are a highlight of Term 3 and Term 4.
- Summer holidays: Starting in early July, the long summer holidays offer six weeks of freedom. This is a peak time for visitors exploring the islands’ stunning wildlife and landscapes.
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: Scotland School Holidays
Useful Resources
Shetland Islands Council – official term date source
FAQs
What are the Shetland Islands school holidays for 2026?
Term 1 starts on 19 August 2026, with the main summer break ending on 2 July 2027. The key dates are provided in the table above.
When is the autumn half-term in Shetland?
For 2026, the Autumn holidays run from 12 October to 26 October.
When do Shetland schools break up for Christmas in 2026?
The Christmas holidays in Shetland start on 19 December 2026 and end on 4 January 2027.
What is a “floating day” in the school calendar?
It is an occasional holiday day that is not fixed centrally. It is set by individual schools or clusters in consultation with parent councils.
What are in-service days?
In-service days are staff training days when schools are closed to pupils. These are scheduled throughout the academic year.