Who sets school holidays in Scotland?

School holidays in Scotland are set by each of Scotland’s 32 council areas (local authorities) — NOT by the Scottish Government. There is no single national term-date calendar like Estonia, Finland or Ireland. Each council publishes its own dates on its own website (e.g. edinburgh.gov.uk, glasgow.gov.uk, aberdeencity.gov.uk). The dates on this site are the Edinburgh and Glasgow patterns as representative — always confirm with your own council before booking travel.

When do Scottish schools break up for the summer?

Scottish schools break up about a month earlier than English schools — typically late June — and resume earlier too, in mid-August. The summer holiday window is roughly late June to mid-August (about 6.5 weeks). Edinburgh schools break up at the end of June 2026; Glasgow schools break up around 24 June 2026. This is a real difference from England (which breaks up around 24 July) and matters for parents moving between the two systems and for travel-cost planning.

What is October week?

October week is a one-week school break in mid-to-late October that is distinctively Scottish — not present in England (which has a half-term break of varying length). Edinburgh and Glasgow schools observe Mon 13 – Fri 17 October 2025 and Mon 12 – Fri 16 October 2026. Most other Scottish councils align with the same week. The October week is anchored loosely on autumn-tide and is one of the strongest family-travel weeks of the year (peak short-haul autumn-sun bookings from Edinburgh and Glasgow Airports).

Why is the February break different in Edinburgh vs Glasgow?

Council variation. Edinburgh, the Lothians and Fife observe a 2-day February break (Monday + Tuesday only — a long weekend). Glasgow, North Lanarkshire and most western councils observe a full week (Mon-Fri, including in-service days). Aberdeen, Dundee and Highland Council follow patterns closer to Glasgow’s full-week model. The split reflects historic council-level decisions; there has been periodic discussion of harmonisation but no national standardisation.

Are Scottish school holidays the same nationwide?

No — Scotland has 32 council areas each setting their own dates. The October week and Christmas / New Year break are largely uniform (within a day or two). The February break and the summer holiday end-of-term date vary most. Edinburgh and Glasgow are the most-searched patterns and broadly representative. Highland Council, with its much larger geography, sometimes adjusts dates for weather and remote-island travel.

When will the 2027/28 Scottish school holidays be published?

Most Scottish councils publish their school term dates 12–18 months in advance. The 2027/28 academic year dates are typically confirmed by each council in spring or summer 2027. We will update this page as soon as Edinburgh and Glasgow publish theirs.

Scottish school holidays 2025/2026 and 2026/2027

School holidays 2025/2026

Upcoming

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Summer holidays

About 6.5 weeks — late June to mid-August (STARTS earlier than England)

Same nationwide

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29 Jun – 14 Aug 2026

Edinburgh: end of term Fri 26 June 2026, return mid-August. Glasgow: end of term Wed 24 June 2026, return mid-August. Aberdeen + Aberdeenshire + Highland: similar 6.5-week window. ALL Scottish summer holidays start earlier than English and Welsh summer holidays.

💡 Tips for the break

Scotland’s summer holidays start about a month earlier than England’s and end earlier too. Edinburgh schools end Fri 26 June 2026 and return mid-August. Glasgow schools end Wed 24 June 2026 and return mid-August. Classic Scottish summer activities: West Highland Way and the Great Glen Way for older children; Highland Games from May to September (Cowal Gathering ~28 August, Braemar Gathering first Saturday of September traditionally attended by the monarch); beach weeks in Argyll, Arran or Tiree; Edinburgh Fringe takeover for the entire month of August. Many families head south for warmer weather, taking advantage of cheaper pre-English-school-holiday rates in the first half of July.

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October week

5 days — Edinburgh + Glasgow both observe Mon 13 – Fri 17 October 2025

also known as October mid-term

Same nationwide

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13–17 Oct 2025

Edinburgh + Glasgow + most Scottish councils observe Mon 13 – Fri 17 October 2025. Some Highland and island councils may extend by a day either side. Always confirm with your council’s school term dates page.

💡 Tips for the break

The October week is a distinctively Scottish school break — not present in England, where it is at most a half-term. Edinburgh and Glasgow city schools both observe the same week (Mon 13 – Fri 17 October 2025). Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire and most other councils align with the same dates. Popular family activities: pumpkin-picking at Cairnie Fruit Farm or Craigies Farm, Halloween events at the Camera Obscura and Edinburgh Dungeon, autumn walks in the Trossachs and Cairngorms, and short-haul autumn-sun trips to the Canaries or Spain (October week sees a peak in Edinburgh and Glasgow Airport departures).

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Christmas / New Year break

About 2 weeks — 22 December to 5 January (Edinburgh + Glasgow return Tue 6 January 2026)

Same nationwide

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22 Dec 2025 – 5 Jan 2026

Edinburgh: schools close Mon 22 December 2025, return Tue 6 January 2026. Glasgow: similar pattern. All 32 Scottish councils observe the Christmas / New Year break in roughly the same window.

💡 Tips for the break

The longest unbroken school break of the Scottish year — covering Christmas, Hogmanay, New Year’s Day, 2 January (a Scottish bank holiday) and the Loony Dook on 1 January at South Queensferry. Edinburgh schools close Mon 22 December 2025 and return Tue 6 January 2026 (1 in-service day Mon 5 Jan). Glasgow schools follow a similar pattern. Families with extended kin in England, Ireland or further afield take advantage of the long window. Scottish ski resorts (Glenshee, the Lecht, Cairngorm) are at peak operation if there is snow.

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February break

5 days (Edinburgh full week) or 2 days + in-service (Glasgow)

also known as February mid-term break

2 schedules

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16–20 Feb 2026

East · Edinburgh + Lothians + Fife: full week Mon 16 – Fri 20 Feb

16–17 Feb 2026

West · Glasgow + western councils: Mon 16 + Tue 17 Feb (+ Wed in-service)

💡 Tips for the break

The February break (also called February mid-term) is where Scotland’s 32-council variation is most visible. **Edinburgh + the Lothians + Fife:** Mon 16 – Fri 20 February 2026 (full week). **Glasgow + North Lanarkshire + most western councils:** Mon 16 + Tue 17 February 2026 (2 days), often with Wed 18 February as an in-service day, returning Thu 19 February. **Aberdeen / Aberdeenshire / Highland:** typically a full Mon-Fri week aligned with Edinburgh. The break is popular for short-haul ski trips to the Alps (especially Andorra and Italy), city breaks (Paris, Amsterdam) or quieter family time at home. Always check your council’s published schedule before booking.

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Spring (Easter) break

About 2.5 weeks — Edinburgh closes Thu 2 April, returns Tue 21 April

2 schedules

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3–21 Apr 2026

East · Edinburgh: Fri 3 Apr – Mon 20 Apr (return Tue 21 Apr)

3–20 Apr 2026

West · Glasgow: Fri 3 Apr – Fri 17 Apr (return Mon 20 Apr)

💡 Tips for the break

About two and a half weeks centred on Easter weekend (Easter Sunday 5 April 2026, Good Friday 3 April). **Edinburgh:** schools close Thursday 2 April 2026 (final day of term), Easter holiday runs Friday 3 April – Monday 20 April inclusive, pupils return Tuesday 21 April 2026. **Glasgow:** schools close at noon Thursday 2 April 2026, Easter holiday runs Friday 3 April – Friday 17 April, pupils return Monday 20 April 2026. **Note:** Easter Monday (6 April 2026) is NOT a Scottish bank holiday but it falls inside the school break in both cities. The Easter Holiday Festival at the National Museum of Scotland and the Easter Sunday Service at St Giles’ Cathedral are family favourites. Spring is just arriving; the Cairngorms can still be snow-covered, while the Borders and East Lothian start to warm.

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School holidays 2026/2027

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October week

5 days — Edinburgh + Glasgow both observe Mon 12 – Fri 16 October 2026

also known as October mid-term

Same nationwide

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12–16 Oct 2026

Edinburgh + Glasgow + most Scottish councils observe Mon 12 – Fri 16 October 2026. Always confirm with your council’s school term dates page.

💡 Tips for the break

October week 2026 — Edinburgh and Glasgow city schools both observe Mon 12 – Fri 16 October 2026. The week aligns with autumn colour at peak in the Trossachs and Cairngorms; Halloween events at Stirling Castle, Glamis Castle and the Camera Obscura ramp up. Pumpkin-picking farms across the central belt run their full season this week. Many families take a short-haul holiday — the Canaries, Madeira and southern Spain are the most popular October-week destinations from Edinburgh and Glasgow Airports.

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Christmas / New Year break

About 2 weeks — 21 December to 4 January (schools return ~5 January 2027)

Same nationwide

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21 Dec 2026 – 4 Jan 2027

Edinburgh + Glasgow: schools close ~Mon 21 December 2026, return ~Tue 5 January 2027. Most Scottish councils follow the same pattern.

💡 Tips for the break

Christmas / New Year 2026/27 — a strong year for the Scottish festive period. Christmas Day Friday + Boxing Day substitute Monday + 2 January substitute Monday (since 2 Jan 2027 is a Saturday) means schools and bank holidays align well. Edinburgh schools close ~Mon 21 December 2026 and return ~Tue 5 January 2027. Glasgow follows the same pattern. The Loony Dook on 1 January 2027 at South Queensferry continues. Edinburgh’s Hogmanay is one of the world’s great New Year street parties.

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February break

5 days (Edinburgh full week) or 2 days + in-service (Glasgow)

also known as February mid-term break

2 schedules

▾

15–19 Feb 2027

East · Edinburgh + Lothians + Fife: full week Mon 15 – Fri 19 Feb

15–16 Feb 2027

West · Glasgow + western councils: Mon 15 + Tue 16 Feb (+ Wed in-service)

💡 Tips for the break

February 2027 follows the same Edinburgh-vs-Glasgow split as 2026. **Edinburgh + Lothians + Fife:** Mon 15 – Fri 19 February 2027 (full week). **Glasgow + western councils:** Mon 15 + Tue 16 February 2027 (2 days), with Wed 17 February typically as in-service. Always confirm with your council. Popular for ski trips to the Alps and Cairngorm, and city breaks to mainland Europe.

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Spring (Easter) break

About 2 weeks — Edinburgh closes Fri 2 April, returns Tue 20 April

2 schedules

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5–20 Apr 2027

East · Edinburgh: Mon 5 Apr – Mon 19 Apr (return Tue 20 Apr)

5–19 Apr 2027

West · Glasgow: Mon 5 Apr – Fri 16 Apr (return Mon 19 Apr)

💡 Tips for the break

Easter falls early in 2027 (Easter Sunday 28 March, Good Friday 26 March). Because Scotland’s Easter break does not start until Term 3 ends, the **Easter weekend itself (Fri 26 March – Mon 29 March 2027) falls during normal term time** — schools close Good Friday (a Scottish bank holiday) but otherwise stay open. **Edinburgh:** schools close Friday 2 April 2027, Easter holiday Mon 5 – Mon 19 April inclusive, pupils return Tuesday 20 April 2027. **Glasgow:** schools close 14:30 Friday 2 April 2027, Easter holiday Mon 5 – Fri 16 April, pupils return Monday 19 April 2027. The early Easter means the spring break partially overlaps with the late-March daffodil season at Edinburgh’s Royal Botanic Garden.

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Summer holidays

About 6.5 weeks — late June to mid-August

Same nationwide

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28 Jun – 13 Aug 2027

Edinburgh + Glasgow: end of term ~late June 2027, return mid-August. All Scottish councils follow a roughly 6.5-week summer window.

💡 Tips for the break

Summer 2027. Edinburgh schools end ~Fri 25 June 2027, Glasgow ends ~Wed 23 June 2027. The same Scottish-vs-English summer-window mismatch applies (Scotland breaks up about a month earlier and returns earlier). Highland Games season is in full swing, with Cowal Gathering and Braemar Gathering as the highlights of late summer.

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School holidays in Scotland 2025–2026 and 2026–2027

School holidays 2025/2026

Upcoming

Summer holidays

Passed

October week

Christmas / New Year break

February break

Spring (Easter) break

School holidays 2026/2027

October week

Christmas / New Year break

February break

Spring (Easter) break

Summer holidays

School holidays in Scotland 2025/2026 and 2026/2027

Frequently asked questions — school holidays

Sources