Also on Bank Holidays UK: Glasgow Bank Holidays 2026 · Manchester Bank Holidays 2026 · Birmingham Bank Holidays 2026
Looking up bank holidays in Edinburgh? You’re on the right page. Edinburgh follows Scottish bank holiday dates — exactly as confirmed by GOV.UK.
Edinburgh bank holidays in 2026
Scotland’s bank holidays differ from England — 2 January is a public holiday, the Summer Bank Holiday is on the first Monday of August (not the last), and St Andrew’s Day on 30 November is also a holiday.
| Date | Holiday | Applies |
|---|---|---|
| Thursday 1 January | New Year’s Day | All UK |
| Friday 2 January | 2 January | Scotland only |
| Friday 3 April | Good Friday | All UK |
| Monday 4 May | Early May Bank Holiday | All UK |
| Monday 25 May | Spring Bank Holiday | All UK |
| Monday 3 August | Summer Bank Holiday | Scotland only |
| Monday 30 November | St Andrew’s Day | Scotland only |
| Friday 25 December | Christmas Day | All UK |
| Monday 28 December | Boxing Day (sub) | All UK |
Things to know about bank holidays in Edinburgh
Like everywhere else in the UK, bank holidays in Edinburgh aren’t a guarantee that everything stops. Banks themselves close. Royal Mail doesn’t deliver. Many big shops open with reduced hours. Bin collections are usually pushed by a day. Public transport tends to run on a Sunday or Saturday timetable.
For specifics in your area, the council website is the most reliable source for bin collection dates and parking rules. National retailers usually publish bank holiday opening hours on their store pages a couple of weeks before the day.
Working in Edinburgh on a bank holiday
Whether you have to work, get paid extra, or get a day off in lieu — none of it depends on where you live. It depends on your employment contract. UK law gives you 5.6 weeks of paid holiday a year. Your contract decides whether bank holidays are inside that allowance or on top of it. See our full guide to bank holiday pay and working on bank holidays.
Looking elsewhere?
Browse our other UK city and regional pages: London, Manchester, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Birmingham, or jump to the Scotland hub.
Frequently asked
Are bank holidays in Edinburgh different from the rest of Scotland?
No. The UK does not have city-specific bank holidays. Edinburgh follows the Scotland list.
Do shops close on bank holidays in Edinburgh?
Most large supermarkets and high-street stores stay open with reduced hours, especially on Easter Sunday and Christmas Day where additional rules apply. Smaller independent shops are more likely to close fully.
Are buses and trains running on bank holidays in Edinburgh?
Yes, but usually on a reduced or Sunday timetable. Always check the operator’s website on the day.