Scotland School Holidays 2027
🏴 United Kingdom
Find the complete Scotland school holidays 2027-2028 calendar right here. This page lists all term dates, half-term breaks, Christmas holidays, Easter holidays, and the summer break for Scotland in 2027. With 3 terms and 9 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 2027 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.
September Autumn Holiday
Sep 20 – Sep 20, 2027
Scotland Term Dates 2027
| Name | Start Date | End Date | Days | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Autumn Term | 125 days | Pupils resume Wednesday 18 August 2027. Term ends Monday 20 December 2027 (City of Edinburgh Council 2027/28 pattern). | ||
| Winter/Spring Term | 86 days | Pupils resume Thursday 6 January 2028. Term ends Friday 31 March 2028. | ||
| Summer Term | 74 days | Pupils resume Tuesday 18 April 2028. Last day of term: Friday 30 June 2028. |
Scotland School Holidays 2027
| Name | Start Date | End Date | Days | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| September Autumn Holiday | 1 days | Monday 20 September 2027 (Edinburgh pattern; date varies by council). | ||
| October Mid-Term Break | 6 days | Monday 18 to Monday 25 October 2027 inclusive (pupils return Tuesday 26 October). | ||
| St Andrew's Day Holiday | 1 days | — | ||
| Christmas Holidays | 16 days | Tuesday 21 December 2027 to Wednesday 5 January 2028. Resume Thursday 6 January 2028. | ||
| February Mid-Term Break | 5 days | Monday 14 to Friday 18 February 2028. | ||
| Easter Holidays | 15 days | Monday 3 to Monday 17 April 2028, including Good Friday 14 April and Easter Monday 17 April. Resume Tuesday 18 April. | ||
| May Day Holiday | 1 days | Monday 1 May 2028, followed by a staff-only day Tuesday 2 May (Edinburgh pattern). | ||
| Victoria Day Holiday | 1 days | Monday 22 May 2028 (Edinburgh council holiday; not observed by all Scottish councils). | ||
| Summer Holidays | 48 days | Scottish summer holidays start earlier than England (early July vs late July). Approximately 7 weeks. |
Scotland Public Holidays 2027
| Name | Start Date | End Date | Days | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| St Andrew's Day | 1 days | — | ||
| Christmas Day | 1 days | Falls on Saturday; substitute holiday Monday 27 December 2027. | ||
| Christmas Day (Substitute) | 1 days | — | ||
| Boxing Day | 1 days | Falls on Sunday; substitute holiday Tuesday 28 December 2027. | ||
| Boxing Day (Substitute) | 1 days | — | ||
| New Year's Day | 1 days | Falls on Saturday; substitute holiday Monday 3 January 2028. | ||
| New Year's Day (Substitute) | 1 days | — | ||
| 2 January (Scotland) | 1 days | 2 January falls on Sunday; observed Tuesday 4 January 2028. Unique to Scotland. | ||
| Good Friday | 1 days | — | ||
| May Day | 1 days | — | ||
| Spring Bank Holiday | 1 days | — |
Scotland School 2027 Calendar — Month by Month
January 2027
February 2027
March 2027
April 2027
May 2027
June 2027
July 2027
August 2027
September 2027
October 2027
November 2027
December 2027
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Detailed 2027 Scotland School Year Information
Autumn Term
Wed, Aug 18, 2027 – Mon, Dec 20, 2027
Pupils resume Wednesday 18 August 2027. Term ends Monday 20 December 2027 (City of Edinburgh Council 2027/28 pattern).
Winter/Spring Term
Thu, Jan 6, 2028 – Fri, Mar 31, 2028
Pupils resume Thursday 6 January 2028. Term ends Friday 31 March 2028.
Summer Term
Tue, Apr 18, 2028 – Fri, Jun 30, 2028
Pupils resume Tuesday 18 April 2028. Last day of term: Friday 30 June 2028.
Scotland School Holidays 2027 — Key Dates
These Scotland school holiday dates for 2027 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 2027 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.
Source & Data Accuracy
Data source: mygov.scot / City of Edinburgh Council
Last updated: September 8, 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.
Scotland School Holidays 2027 — Frequently Asked Questions
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.
What are teacher training days / professional development days?
Teacher training days (also called PD days, INSET days in the UK, or pupil-free days in Australia) are days when students do not attend school but teachers participate in training. These are typically attached to the beginning or end of holiday periods.
Looking for School Holidays in Other Countries?
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