Scotland School Holidays 2026
🏴 United Kingdom
Find the complete Scotland school holidays 2026-2027 calendar right here. This page lists all term dates, half-term breaks, Christmas holidays, Easter holidays, and the summer break for Scotland in 2026. With 3 terms and 7 school breaks, our Scotland school term dates are verified directly from mygov.scot / City of Edinburgh Council. Whether you're planning a family holiday during the half-term break or need to know when the 2026 summer holidays start, you'll find all the dates you need below.
Officially published, but dates may vary by sub-region or individual school. Confirm with your local school. Last verified: Sep 6, 2026.
St Andrew's Day Holiday
Nov 30 – Nov 30, 2026
Scotland Term Dates 2026/27
| Name | Start Date | End Date | Days | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Autumn Term | 126 | Pupils resume Wednesday 19 August 2026. Staff return 17-18 August for in-service days. | ||
| Winter/Spring Term | 87 | Pupils resume Wednesday 6 January 2027. | ||
| Summer Term | 74 | Last day of term: Thursday 1 July 2027. |
Scotland School Holidays in school year 2026/27
| Break | Dates | Days |
|---|---|---|
| October Break | Oct 12 – Oct 16, 2026 | 5 |
| St Andrew's Day Holiday | Nov 30 – Nov 30, 2026 | 1 |
| Christmas Holidays | Dec 23 – Jan 5, 2027 | 14 |
| February Mid-Term Break | Feb 8 – Feb 12, 2027 | 5 |
| Easter Holidays | Apr 5 – Apr 16, 2027 | 12 |
| May Day Holiday | May 3 – May 3, 2027 | 1 |
| Summer Holidays | Jul 2 – Aug 17, 2027 | 47 |
Scotland Public Holidays 2026
| Name | Start Date | End Date | Days | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| St Andrew's Day | 1 | — | ||
| Christmas Day | 1 | — | ||
| Boxing Day | 1 | — | ||
| New Year's Day | 1 | — | ||
| 2 January (Scotland) | 1 | Unique to Scotland. | ||
| Good Friday | 1 | — | ||
| May Day | 1 | — | ||
| Spring Bank Holiday | 1 | — |
Scotland School 2026 Calendar — Month by Month
January 2026
February 2026
March 2026
April 2026
May 2026
June 2026
July 2026
August 2026
September 2026
October 2026
November 2026
December 2026
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Data last verified Sep 6, 2026. Dates come from the official source listed above — always confirm with your school or education authority before making important plans.
Detailed 2026 Scotland School Year Information
Autumn Term
Wed, Aug 19, 2026 – Tue, Dec 22, 2026
Pupils resume Wednesday 19 August 2026. Staff return 17-18 August for in-service days.
Winter/Spring Term
Wed, Jan 6, 2027 – Fri, Apr 2, 2027
Pupils resume Wednesday 6 January 2027.
Summer Term
Mon, Apr 19, 2027 – Thu, Jul 1, 2027
Last day of term: Thursday 1 July 2027.
Scotland School Holidays 2026/27 — Key Dates
These Scotland school holiday dates for 2026 are sourced directly from mygov.scot / City of Edinburgh Council. Scotland has a different school calendar from England — 3 terms instead of 6 half-terms, with an earlier summer holiday (late June/early July) and earlier return (mid-August). Term dates vary by council (32 local authorities). The 2027/28 dates below follow the City of Edinburgh Council published calendar as the anchor pattern — always check your local council for exact dates.
Planning Tips for 2026 Scotland School Holidays
🗓️ Scotland runs on a different calendar entirely
Scottish schools return in mid-August, a week or two before England, and finish around the end of June. There are three terms with October and February mid-term breaks instead of England's half terms.
❄️ Winter breaks cluster in February
Most Scottish councils take a mid-February break, often aligned around Valentine's weekend — a cheaper ski and city-break window than the English half-term week.
🏛️ 32 councils, 32 calendars
Each local authority sets its own dates, and they genuinely differ — Edinburgh's September holiday, for example, does not exist in most of Scotland. Always confirm with your council.
🎓 Early summer travel bonus
Because Scottish schools finish in late June, July flights and accommodation from Scotland are typically cheaper than during the English holiday surge — and Scottish attractions are quieter in the first half of July.
Data & source details Who this calendar applies to, where it came from, and when we will check it again
- Applies to
- Not yet recorded
- Does not apply to
- Not yet recorded
- Governance level
- Region
- Date status
- Advisory — schools may vary
- Source document
- Not yet recorded
- Published by the authority
- mygov.scot / City of Edinburgh Council
- Last checked by us
- Sep 6, 2026
- Next scheduled review
- Not yet recorded
- Known exceptions
- Not yet recorded
- Data version
- Not yet recorded
Source & Data Accuracy
Data source: mygov.scot / City of Edinburgh Council
Source last checked: September 6, 2026
Officially published, but dates may vary by sub-region or individual school. Confirm with your local school. Last verified: Sep 6, 2026.
Note: Scotland has a different school calendar from England — 3 terms instead of 6 half-terms, with an earlier summer holiday (late June/early July) and earlier return (mid-August). Term dates vary by council (32 local authorities). The 2027/28 dates below follow the City of Edinburgh Council published calendar as the anchor pattern — always check your local council for exact dates.
Report a date error or source changeScotland School Holidays 2026 — Frequently Asked Questions
What are the Scotland school holidays for 2026-2027?
Scotland school holidays for 2026-2027 include October Break (October 12-16, 2026), Christmas Holidays (December 23, 2026 – January 5, 2027), February Mid-Term Break (February 8-12, 2027), Easter Holidays (April 5-16, 2027), and Summer Holidays (from July 2, 2027).
When does the 2026-2027 school year start in Scotland?
The 2026-2027 academic year in Scotland starts on Wednesday, 19 August 2026 for pupils. Teachers return on 17-18 August for in-service days. The school year ends on Thursday, 1 July 2027.
How is the Scottish school calendar different from England?
Scotland uses a 3-term system (Autumn, Winter/Spring, Summer) rather than the 6 half-term system used in England. Scottish summer holidays start earlier (early July vs late July) and end earlier (mid-August vs early September). Scotland also observes St Andrew's Day (November 30) and 2 January as holidays.
Do Scottish school holidays vary by council?
Yes. Scotland has 32 local authorities (councils) that each set their own term dates. While many follow similar patterns, dates can vary by a week or more between councils. Always check with your local council for exact dates.
How many school holidays are there in 2026?
Most school systems have 4-6 major holiday periods throughout the year, typically including a long summer break, a winter/Christmas break, and shorter mid-term breaks in spring and autumn. The exact number depends on your country and region.
What is the longest school holiday?
The summer holiday is typically the longest school break worldwide. In Australia, it lasts about 5-6 weeks (December-January). In the UK, the summer break is approximately 6 weeks (July-August). In the US, summer break is the longest at 10-12 weeks (June-August). In Singapore, the year-end holidays last about 6 weeks.
Are school holidays the same across all states or regions?
No. School holiday dates vary by state, region, and sometimes even by individual school district or local council. While neighbouring areas often have similar schedules, you should always check the specific dates for your local area.
Can I take my child out of school during term time?
Rules vary by country. In the UK, taking children out of school during term time without authorization can result in fines. In Australia, it is generally discouraged but policies vary by state. In the US, policies are set by individual school districts. Always check with your school before planning term-time absences.
Do private schools have different holiday dates?
Yes, private and independent schools often set their own term dates, which may differ from government/public schools. However, most private schools follow similar schedules to nearby public schools, with minor variations. Check directly with your school for exact dates.
Looking for School Holidays in Other Countries?
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