When are the school holidays in Scotland in 2026/27?

It depends on the council. Most break for October from 12 October 2026 and for Christmas in late December. Then come a short February break, two weeks at Easter and summer from late June 2027.

Do all Scottish councils have the same school holidays?

No. Each of the 32 councils sets its own calendar. Neighbouring councils often match, but dates can differ by a week, especially in October and at Easter.

Are in-service days the same across Scotland?

No. Every council has five in-service days, but it chooses when they fall. Check your council's page, and your school, for the exact days.

Scottish school holidays 2026/27

Most Scottish councils start the October break on Monday 12 October 2026. Angus and Argyll and Bute break a week earlier, and West Lothian a week later.

Find your council

See all 32 councils side by side

October across Scotland

Which councils are off, day by day. Select a council for its full calendar.

HolidayIn-service dayPublic holidaySchool openWeekend

Exams 2027

The 2027 exam timetable is out. Find every National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher exam, check past grade boundaries and see what grade a practice mark would get.

See the exam timetable

PrelimsMost schools hold prelims between December and February
Exam dietMonday 26 April to Wednesday 2 June 2027
Results dayTuesday 10 August 2027, by text, email and post

Answers worked out for you

Enter a date of birth, a mark or a pay point. Each tool uses the official rules and your council's own dates.

When can my child leave school?

Summer or winter leaving date, using your council's Christmas break

Mon 21 Dec 2026

When does my child start P1?

Start date, deferral rights and the funded extra nursery year

August 2027

What grade is my practice mark?

Any National 5, Higher or Advanced Higher course, using real grade boundaries

70 of 120 = B

Teacher pay and take-home

Every point on the SNCT scales, after tax, pension and student loan

Point 3: £48,504

Every council sets its own dates

Scotland has 32 councils, and each one sets its own school calendar. Holidays line up in some places and differ by a week in others. We check every date against the council's published calendar and show the day we checked it.

In-service days are different everywhere

Pupils are in school for 190 days a year. Teachers work five more, called in-service days, when schools are closed to pupils. Each council picks its own in-service days, often next to a holiday.

In Glasgow, Friday 9 October 2026 is an in-service day, so pupils get ten days off in a row. In Edinburgh, the in-service day comes after the break, on Monday 19 October.

The 2026/27 school year at a glance

October: one week from 12 October in most of the central belt. Much of the north and east takes two weeks.
Christmas: schools close between Friday 18 and Wednesday 23 December 2026. Most return on Tuesday 5 January 2027.
Easter: Good Friday is 26 March 2027. Some councils break from 26 March, others from 5 April.
Summer: schools break up between Friday 25 June and Friday 2 July 2027.

Choose your council for the full list, or check bank holidays, exam dates and the school leaving date.

Quick answers

When are the school holidays in Scotland in 2026/27?: It depends on the council. Most break for October from 12 October 2026 and for Christmas in late December. Then come a short February break, two weeks at Easter and summer from late June 2027.
Do all Scottish councils have the same school holidays?: No. Each of the 32 councils sets its own calendar. Neighbouring councils often match, but dates can differ by a week, especially in October and at Easter.
Are in-service days the same across Scotland?: No. Every council has five in-service days, but it chooses when they fall. Check your council's page, and your school, for the exact days.