Scotland School Holidays & Term Dates
Next school holiday: Christmas Holidays, 21 Dec 2026 (Mon) – 4 Jan 2027 (Mon) (15 days). Official Scotland school term dates.
See 2026 school holiday dates
days until the next school holiday
Next school holiday in Scotland
Christmas Holidays begin on — 52 days away.
When does school start in Scotland?
The 2027 school year begins on .
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United KingdomScotland
2026 calendar
Scotland school holidays in 2026 include summer, October half-term and Christmas break. Local authorities and schools may add INSET days — confirm locally.
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| Period | Dates | Days |
|---|---|---|
Summer HolidaysBreakBreak | Dates29 Jun 2026 (Mon) – 14 Aug 2026 (Fri) | Days47 |
Autumn TermTermTerm | Dates15 Aug 2026 (Sat) – 11 Oct 2026 (Sun) | Days58 |
October HolidaysBreakBreak | Dates12 Oct 2026 (Mon) – 23 Oct 2026 (Fri) | Days12 |
Term 2TermTerm | Dates24 Oct 2026 (Sat) – 20 Dec 2026 (Sun) | Days58 |
Christmas HolidaysBreakBreak | Dates21 Dec 2026 (Mon) – 4 Jan 2027 (Mon) | Days15 |
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At a glance
- School days
- 116
- Holiday days
- 74
- Terms
- 2
- Longest break
- 47d
- Shortest break
- 12d
- Avg break
- 24.7d
Summer Holidays
October Holidays
Year timeline
Sky bars show school terms, and amber bars show school breaks across 2026.
School terms: Autumn Term, 15 Aug 2026 (Sat) – 11 Oct 2026 (Sun); Term 2, 24 Oct 2026 (Sat) – 20 Dec 2026 (Sun). School breaks: Summer Holidays, 29 Jun 2026 (Mon) – 14 Aug 2026 (Fri); October Holidays, 12 Oct 2026 (Mon) – 23 Oct 2026 (Fri); Christmas Holidays, 21 Dec 2026 (Mon) – 4 Jan 2027 (Mon)
- School terms
- School breaks
School holidays by year
FAQ
How many Scotland school holiday blocks are there each year?
Typically six: October half-term, Christmas, February half-term, Easter, May half-term, and the long summer holiday. Exact lengths vary by nation and local authority.
What is the next school holiday in Scotland?
The next school holiday in Scotland is Christmas Holidays, starting 21 Dec 2026 (Mon) (2026).
When are the next Scotland school holidays?
Open the Scotland hub for a live countdown to the next break, or pick a year calendar for half-terms, Christmas, Easter and summer holidays. Local authority and school INSET days can differ from the reference dates we publish.
Are schools currently on holiday in Scotland?
No. The next school holiday is Christmas Holidays, starting 21 Dec 2026 (Mon).
Are TermBreaks dates the official Scotland school holidays?
Dates follow the cited Scotland education authority or a widely used reference calendar for that nation. Every page links the source and last-verified date. Always confirm with your local authority or school, especially for INSET days.
Where can I verify Scotland school holiday dates?
Cross-check the cited source at https://www.mygov.scot/school-term-dates and your local authority or school calendar. TermBreaks links sources and last-verified dates on every calendar page and on the methodology page.
Are INSET / training days included in the Scotland holiday list?
No. TermBreaks lists term blocks and major holiday breaks. Teacher training (INSET) days are set locally and are not always published as term breaks — check your school.
Do all schools in Scotland follow the same term dates?
Not always. Scottish councils set their own calendars; many align on major holidays but start/finish dates differ. Independent schools can also differ.
When does school start in Scotland?
The 2027 Scottish Government / local councils school year begins on 5 Jan 2027 (Tue).