Bank holidays in Scotland — 2026 at a glance

Scotland’s bank holiday calendar differs from the rest of the UK in three ways: it adds 2 January after New Year’s Day, it observes St Andrew’s Day on 30 November, and its summer holiday falls on the first Monday of August (rather than the last, as in England, Wales and Northern Ireland). Easter Monday is also not a statutory Scottish bank holiday by default — though many employers grant it as a customary day.

Many Scottish cities also observe additional local holidays not listed below: Glasgow Fair (third Monday of July), Edinburgh’s Spring and Autumn Holidays, Dundee Holiday and others. These are set by individual local authorities or, historically, by trades.

Full 2026 calendar

All bank holidays for the year, in chronological order. Past dates appear faded.

About these holidays

Scotland’s three unique bank holidays

2 January dates back to the post-war recovery — Scots traditionally celebrated New Year (Hogmanay) longer than the English, and the second day was statutorily protected from 1973. St Andrew’s Day on 30 November became a Scottish bank holiday in 2007 under the St Andrew’s Day Bank Holiday (Scotland) Act 2007 — voluntary for most employers, but observed across the public sector.

The August holiday swap — first Monday rather than last — reflects Scotland’s traditional industrial holiday weeks, particularly the Glasgow Fair and similar trades fortnights, which historically peaked at the start of August rather than the end.

Easter Monday in Scotland

Despite being widely observed, Easter Monday is not a statutory bank holiday in Scotland. Most banks and government offices close, but the legal status differs from the rest of the UK — your right to the day off depends on your contract, not on statutory law.

Local Scottish holidays beyond the statutory list

Scottish local councils set additional holiday days. Notable examples in 2026:

• Glasgow Fair — third Monday of July (20 July 2026)
• Edinburgh Spring Holiday — typically third Monday of April
• Edinburgh Autumn Holiday — typically third Monday of September
• Dundee Local Holiday — first Monday of October

These are not statutory and apply only within the relevant council area for council employees and many local services.

Other UK regions

Bank holidays vary across the four nations. See how this calendar compares.

Common questions