Scotland Bank Holidays 2026: Dates, Calendar and Complete Guide
If you are looking for Scotland bank holidays 2026, there are 10 dates to know this year, including one extra bank holiday on Monday 15 June for Scotland’s men’s football team playing in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The Scottish bank holiday calendar is not exactly the same as the one used in England and Wales. Scotland has its own dates, including 2 January and St Andrew’s Day. Local public holidays can also vary between councils, so a holiday in Glasgow or Edinburgh may not always match the national Scottish bank holiday calendar.
Here are the dates you need to know.
Scotland Bank Holidays 2026 Dates
| Date | Day | Bank holiday |
| 1 January 2026 | Thursday | New Year’s Day |
| 2 January 2026 | Friday | 2nd January |
| 3 April 2026 | Friday | Good Friday |
| 4 May 2026 | Monday | Early May bank holiday |
| 25 May 2026 | Monday | Spring bank holiday |
| 15 June 2026 | Monday | World Cup bank holiday |
| 3 August 2026 | Monday | Summer bank holiday |
| 30 November 2026 | Monday | St Andrew’s Day |
| 25 December 2026 | Friday | Christmas Day |
| 28 December 2026 | Monday | Boxing Day substitute day |
These are the official Scotland bank holidays 2026 dates published by the Scottish Government. The 15 June holiday was added to mark Scotland’s men’s team reaching the 2026 World Cup.
Scotland Bank Holidays 2026 Calendar
The year starts with two Scottish holidays in a row: New Year’s Day on 1 January and 2nd January on 2 January.
Good Friday falls on 3 April. Scotland then has the Early May bank holiday on 4 May and the Spring bank holiday on 25 May.
The unusual date this year is 15 June. It is an additional national bank holiday for Scotland and does not replace another holiday.
The Summer bank holiday is on 3 August, followed by St Andrew’s Day on 30 November. Christmas Day falls on Friday 25 December, while Boxing Day falls on Saturday, so Monday 28 December is the substitute bank holiday.
Scotland Easter Bank Holidays 2026
Scotland’s national bank holiday list includes Good Friday on 3 April 2026.
Easter Monday, 6 April, is not listed as a Scottish national bank holiday in the Scottish Government’s 2026 bank holiday calendar. This is one of the differences people often miss when comparing Scottish dates with England and Wales.
Scotland May Bank Holidays 2026
There are two May bank holidays in Scotland in 2026:
- Monday 4 May, Early May bank holiday
- Monday 25 May, Spring bank holiday
These dates are also shown in the official UK bank holiday calendar.
Is Today a Bank Holiday in Scotland?
As of 3 September 2026, today is not a bank holiday in Scotland.
The next national Scottish bank holiday is Monday 30 November 2026, St Andrew’s Day. After that, Christmas Day falls on Friday 25 December and the Boxing Day substitute day is Monday 28 December.
Is Monday a Bank Holiday in Scotland?
Some Mondays are bank holidays in Scotland, but not every Monday is one.
In 2026, several Scottish bank holidays fall on a Monday, including 4 May, 25 May, 15 June, 3 August and 30 November. Monday 28 December is also a bank holiday because it is the substitute day for Boxing Day.
If you are checking a particular Monday, use the date rather than assuming that every Monday is a holiday.
How Many Bank Holidays Are There in Scotland in 2026?
There are 10 Scottish bank holidays in 2026 on the official national calendar.
The figure is higher than in a typical year because Monday 15 June was added as a one-off World Cup bank holiday. The Scottish Government confirmed that the date was approved by Royal Proclamation.
Is Scotland Getting an Extra Bank Holiday in 2026?
Yes. Scotland has an extra bank holiday on Monday 15 June 2026.
The holiday was created because Scotland’s men’s football team qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, their first appearance at the tournament since 1998. It is an additional holiday rather than a replacement for one of the usual Scottish bank holidays.
Scotland vs England Bank Holidays 2026
Scottish bank holidays are not identical to those in England and Wales.
For example, Scotland has a national bank holiday on 2 January, while England and Wales do not. Scotland also has St Andrew’s Day on 30 November. On the other hand, Easter Monday appears on the England and Wales calendar but is not included in Scotland’s national 2026 bank holiday list.
There is also a practical difference in how local holidays are arranged. Scottish councils can set their own local public holidays, so someone working in Edinburgh may have a different local holiday calendar from someone in Glasgow.
Are Scottish Bank Holidays Different to England?
Yes.
Scotland has its own bank holiday arrangements. The national dates are set separately from those for England and Wales, which means you should check the Scottish calendar if you live or work in Scotland.
Glasgow Bank Holidays 2026
The national Scottish bank holidays apply across Scotland, including Glasgow.
However, Glasgow also has local public holidays. These are separate from the national Scottish bank holiday list and can affect council services, payments and some local businesses.
For example, GOV.UK notes that Glasgow has a local holiday on 28 September 2026. That date should not be confused with a national Scottish bank holiday.
So if you are searching for Glasgow bank holidays 2026, check both the national Scotland calendar and Glasgow’s local holiday arrangements.
Edinburgh Bank Holidays 2026
Edinburgh follows the national Scottish bank holidays, but the City of Edinburgh Council also has its own public holiday calendar.
For 2026, Edinburgh lists local public holidays including Monday 21 September, as well as holidays around Easter and other dates that are not all national Scottish bank holidays.
This is why an Edinburgh bank holidays 2026 search can produce a longer list than the 10 national Scottish bank holidays.
If the date matters for work, school, council services or an appointment, check the Edinburgh council calendar as well as the national Scotland list.
Bank Holidays and Local Public Holidays in Scotland
Bank holidays and local public holidays are not the same thing.
The Scottish Government says the national bank holidays apply across Scotland. Local public holidays, meanwhile, are decided by local councils and can differ from one area to another.
This matters in places such as Glasgow and Edinburgh. A local council may close its offices on a day that is not a national bank holiday.
Scotland Public Bank Holidays 2026
The national Scottish calendar contains 10 bank holidays in 2026. Local councils can add their own public holidays on top of those dates.
That means there is no single calendar that tells every worker, school, business and public service exactly when it will close.
NHS Scotland Bank Holidays 2026
NHS services can operate differently on public holidays.
Some GP practices, pharmacies and other NHS services may have different opening hours or close on public holidays. NHS Inform advises people to check local opening times and arrange repeat prescriptions before a public holiday if necessary.
For employees, the exact entitlement to bank holidays depends on the employer and employment arrangements. A Scottish bank holiday does not automatically mean that every NHS worker has the day off.
NHS Scotland Bank Holidays 2026 Dates
The national Scottish bank holiday dates are the starting point, but NHS boards and services can have their own staffing arrangements.
This is particularly important for searches such as NHS Scotland bank holidays 2026 dates, NHS Fife Scotland bank holidays 2026 and similar queries. If you work for the NHS, check your employer or local health board’s holiday and staffing arrangements rather than relying only on the national bank holiday calendar.
Scotland Bank Holidays 2026 and Major Events
Scotland Bank Holidays 2026 and the World Cup
The 2026 World Cup is directly linked to one of Scotland’s bank holidays.
Monday 15 June 2026 was officially appointed as a Scottish bank holiday after Scotland qualified for the men’s FIFA World Cup. The King issued the Royal Proclamation on 3 February 2026.
It is unusual because most Scottish bank holidays follow the established annual calendar. This one was created specifically for the 2026 tournament.
Scotland Bank Holidays 2026 and Football Fixtures
The World Cup holiday is the main football-related change to the Scottish bank holiday calendar in 2026.
It is worth keeping the two things separate, though. A Scotland football match does not automatically create a bank holiday. The 15 June date became a bank holiday because it was formally appointed by Royal Proclamation.
Working on Bank Holidays in Scotland
A bank holiday does not automatically give every employee a paid day off.
The Scottish Government states that not everyone is entitled to paid leave on bank or public holidays. Your employment contract and employer’s holiday policy determine what happens.
Some workplaces close completely. Others stay open and operate with normal or reduced staffing.
Banks and businesses are not legally required to close just because a day is a Scottish bank holiday. Scottish banks may also choose to follow the England and Wales banking calendar for business reasons.
What Is Closed on Scottish Bank Holidays?
There is no universal rule that every business or service must close.
Opening hours depend on the organisation. Banks may close, shops may remain open, and public services may operate reduced hours.
Are Scottish Schools Closed on Bank Holidays?
Schools follow their own holiday calendars, which can be set by local authorities. A school may close for a local holiday even when the date is not a national Scottish bank holiday.
For example, Edinburgh’s school calendar includes local holidays and term breaks that go beyond the national bank holiday dates.
If you need to know whether a particular school is closed, check the local authority or school calendar.
Does Royal Mail Operate on Scottish Bank Holidays?
Royal Mail services can be affected by bank holidays, but service arrangements depend on the date and location.
If you are waiting for a delivery or sending something important, check the Royal Mail service information for the specific holiday rather than assuming that every service stops across Scotland.
Are Banks Closed on Scottish Bank Holidays?
Not necessarily.
The Scottish Government specifically says there is no law requiring banks or other businesses to close on Scottish bank holidays. Scottish banks may choose to close on the same dates as banks in England and Wales.
Planning Around Scotland Bank Holidays 2026
Bank holidays are useful to know when planning annual leave, travel, appointments and business deadlines.
The biggest date to watch in 2026 is 15 June because it is an additional Scottish holiday. The end of the year also has a useful Christmas break, with Christmas Day on Friday and the Boxing Day substitute day on Monday 28 December.
If you are travelling between Scotland and England, check both calendars. A date that is a bank holiday in one country may be a normal working day in the other.
Local holidays matter too. Glasgow, Edinburgh and other council areas can have additional public holidays, so national dates are not always the complete picture.
Scotland Bank Holidays 2027
The official 2027 Scottish calendar includes the following national bank holidays:
| Date | Day | Bank holiday |
| 1 January 2027 | Friday | New Year’s Day |
| 4 January 2027 | Monday | 2nd January substitute day |
| 26 March 2027 | Friday | Good Friday |
| 3 May 2027 | Monday | Early May bank holiday |
| 31 May 2027 | Monday | Spring bank holiday |
| 2 August 2027 | Monday | Summer bank holiday |
| 30 November 2027 | Tuesday | St Andrew’s Day |
| 27 December 2027 | Monday | Christmas Day substitute day |
| 28 December 2027 | Tuesday | Boxing Day substitute day |
The 2027 dates are listed by GOV.UK as the Scottish bank holiday calendar.
Scottish Bank Holidays 2027 Dates
Unlike 2026, the current 2027 national calendar does not include a separate World Cup bank holiday.
The next Scottish bank holiday after New Year’s Day is Monday 4 January, which is the substitute day for 2nd January because the actual date falls on Saturday.
Conclusion
Planning ahead using the official Scotland bank holidays 2026 calendar is the best way to maximize your annual leave, organize family trips, and avoid unexpected disruptions with work, NHS services, or local public offices.
With 10 official national bank holidays in 2026—highlighted by the unique 15 June World Cup bank holiday—Scotland’s schedule offers distinct differences from England and Wales, including 2nd January and St Andrew’s Day. Since local council dates in cities like Glasgow and Edinburgh can vary and employers are not automatically required to grant paid leave, always double-check your local council and workplace policies.
Pro Tip: Bookmark this guide to stay updated on all Scottish bank holiday dates for 2026 and start planning your long weekends today!
Scotland Bank Holidays FAQs
Quick answers about Scottish bank holiday dates, regional differences and planning.
How many bank holidays are there in Scotland?
The number can vary from year to year. In 2026, there are 10 national Scottish bank holidays, including the additional World Cup holiday on 15 June.
How many bank holidays are there in 2026?
Scotland has 10 national bank holidays in 2026.
Are Scottish bank holidays different to England?
Yes. Scotland has its own bank holiday calendar, including 2 January and St Andrew’s Day. England and Wales have different dates and include Easter Monday in their national bank holiday calendar.
Is there an extra bank holiday in Scotland in 2026?
Yes. Monday 15 June 2026 is an additional bank holiday to mark Scotland’s participation in the men’s FIFA World Cup.
Is Monday a bank holiday in Scotland?
Some Mondays are bank holidays, but not all Mondays. The exact date should be checked against the Scottish bank holiday calendar.
Is it a bank holiday in Scotland today?
As of 3 September 2026, no. The next national Scottish bank holiday is Monday 30 November 2026, St Andrew’s Day.