Planning your year starts with knowing the Scotland public holidays. This complete guide provides the official list of Scottish bank holidays, covering everything from New Year’s Day in Scotland to St. Andrew’s Day. You’ll learn about substitute day rules, special dates like Fair Monday in Scotland, and important regional differences between Scotland and the rest of the UK. Use this guide to plan your leave in Scotland easily and with confidence.
Official Scotland Public Holiday Dates
Here are the confirmed and projected bank holidays in Scotland for the next three years. Scottish bank holidays differ from those in England and Wales, notably with an extra day in January and a summer holiday in August.
Scotland Public Holidays 2025 Calendar
| Date | Day | Holiday |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Jan 2025 | Wednesday | New Year’s Day |
| 2 Jan 2025 | Thursday | 2nd January Holiday |
| 18 Apr 2025 | Friday | Good Friday |
| 5 May 2025 | Monday | Early May Holiday |
| 26 May 2025 | Monday | Spring Holiday |
| 4 Aug 2025 | Monday | Summer Holiday August |
| 1 Dec 2025 | Monday | St Andrew’s Day (Substitute Day) |
| 25 Dec 2025 | Thursday | Christmas Day |
| 26 Dec 2025 | Friday | Boxing Day |
Scotland Public Holidays 2026 Calendar
| Date | Day | Holiday |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Jan 2026 | Thursday | New Year’s Day |
| 2 Jan 2026 | Friday | 2nd January Holiday |
| 3 Apr 2026 | Friday | Good Friday Scotland |
| 4 May 2026 | Monday | Early May Bank Holiday Scotland |
| 25 May 2026 | Monday | Spring Bank Holiday Scotland Date |
| 20 Jul 2026* | Monday | Christmas Day in Scotland |
| 28 Sep 2026* | Monday | September Weekend Holiday |
| 25 Dec 2026 | Friday | Christmas Day in Scotland |
| 28 Dec 2026 | Monday | Boxing Day Substitute |
*Local council holidays; not nationwide.
Need Help with UK Bank Holidays?
Have questions about upcoming UK bank holidays or planning time off? Get expert guidance from Coming Holidays and plan your year with clarity and confidence.
Scotland Public Holidays 2027 Calendar (Projected)
| Date | Day | Holiday |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Jan 2027 | Friday | New Year’s Day |
| 4 Jan 2027* | Monday | 2nd January Holiday (Substitute) |
| 26 Mar 2027 | Friday | Good Friday |
| 3 May 2027 | Monday | Early May Holiday |
| 31 May 2027 | Monday | Spring Holiday Date |
| 2 Aug 2027 | Monday | Summer Bank Holiday |
| 30 Nov 2027 | Tuesday | St Andrew’s Day |
| 27 Dec 2027* | Monday | Christmas Day Scotland (Substitute) |
| 28 Dec 2027* | Tuesday | Boxing Day (Substitute) |
*Projected substitute days for weekends.
Detailed Holiday Listings & Substitute Days
Understanding the substitute day rule is key to planning leave from Scotland. If a bank holiday like Christmas Day in Scotland falls on a weekend, the following Monday (or sometimes Tuesday) becomes the holiday. This is why you see a Boxing Day substitute in 2026. St. Andrew’s Day substitute day follows the same rule if November 30th is a weekend.
Local Council Public Holidays in Scotland
This is a major point of confusion! While national Scottish bank holidays are set, local public holidays in Scotland can be added by the council. This is why you see Fair Monday Scotland or a September Weekend holiday in some 2026 calendars—these are not nationwide. Always check local council public holidays on your council’s website, as Scottish local holidays differ by area.
Employment Rights & Bank Holidays in Scotland
Many people ask about time off work for public holidays in Scotland. Here’s the essential truth: there is no statutory entitlement to paid leave on bank holidays. Your right to employer-paid leave on bank holidays in Scotland depends entirely on your employment contract holiday terms. Always check your contract first.
Plan Your Year with Confidence
Explore the complete list of countries’ bank holidays and stay ahead with accurate dates, smart planning, and stress-free travel and work schedules.
Explore Other Upcoming Public Holidays:
- UK Public Holidays
- UK Public Holidays 2026
- England Public Holidays
- Wales Public Holidays
- Scotland Public Holidays
- Northern Ireland Public Holidays
Bookmark this page from Coming Holidays to easily reference these Scottish bank holiday summer dates and savvy advice all year round!
FAQs
Can the King Create New Bank Holidays?
Yes. The monarch can proclaim extra king’s special bank holidays for special occasions, like a royal jubilee.
What Happens If a Bank Holiday Falls on a Weekend?
A substitute weekday (usually the following Monday) becomes the bank holiday. This is the core substitute day rule.
Is St. Andrew’s Day a National Holiday Across the UK?
No. St. Andrew’s Day is a public holiday in Scotland only. It’s a key example of UK bank holidays vs. Scotland differences.
Are banks closed on Scottish bank holidays?
Not automatically. Unlike in England, business closure laws don’t force shutdowns. Bank opening times in Scotland vary; many follow English hours. Always check with your branch.
Do school holidays in Scotland align with public holidays?
Not exactly. School holidays in Scotland are set by local councils and often include in-service days. They generally align around major breaks like Christmas and Easter, but it’s best to check your local council’s term dates.
