School Holidays 2026/27
Scottish School Holidays — By Council
Every Scottish council sets its own term dates and in-service days. Type your council name into the filter, or pick it from the regional list below for the full 2026/27 calendar. New to how this works? Read why the dates differ by council.
When do Scottish schools go back in 2026?
For the 2026/27 school year, Scottish schools return between 12 August 2026 and 20 August 2026, depending on the council. Term dates are set locally rather than nationally, so the figures below are the range across all 32 councils — check your own council for the exact calendar.
One date worth pencilling in before the August return: SQA results day is Tuesday 4 August 2026, during the summer break — when National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher grades are released.
Working through the break? Summer holiday childcare in Scotland covers holiday clubs, costs and what funded support applies outside term time — with more in the early years & childcare hub.
- August return
- 12 August 2026 – 20 August 2026
- October week begins
- 5 October – 19 October 2026
- Summer holiday starts
- 25 June – 5 July 2027
- All 32 councils
- each set their own dates — why they differ
Showing all 32 councils
North Scotland
East Scotland
West Scotland
Argyll and Bute
Term starts 17 August
East Ayrshire
Term starts 19 August
East Dunbartonshire
Term starts 17 August
East Renfrewshire
Term starts 17 August
Glasgow City
Term starts 12 August
Inverclyde
Term starts 18 August
North Ayrshire
Term starts 20 August
North Lanarkshire
Term starts 12 August
Renfrewshire
Term starts 18 August
South Ayrshire
Term starts 20 August
South Lanarkshire
Term starts 13 August
West Dunbartonshire
Term starts 17 August
Central Scotland
Scottish Islands
Scottish school holidays 2026/27: common questions
When do Scottish schools go back in August 2026?
Most Scottish councils start the 2026/27 school year between 12 August 2026 and 20 August 2026. The exact date is set locally: councils including Clackmannanshire and East Lothian return earliest (12 August), while North Ayrshire and South Ayrshire are among the last back (20 August). Use the filter on this page for your council's confirmed date.
Do all 32 Scottish councils have the same term dates?
No. Every Scottish council sets its own term dates and in-service days, so the October week, February mid-term and even the August return date vary from one council to the next. Always check your own council rather than a neighbouring one.
When is the October week in Scotland in 2026?
Across Scotland the October holiday begins between 5 October and 19 October 2026, depending on the council. Most councils take a full week off; Highland and a few others split it differently. Check your council's dates above before booking a holiday.
When does the summer holiday start for the 2026/27 school year?
The 2026/27 school year ends with summer holidays starting between 25 June 2027 and 5 July 2027, depending on the council. Scottish summer breaks run for roughly six to seven weeks — earlier and shorter than in most of England — with term resuming in mid-August.
Where can I find my council's confirmed 2026/27 term dates?
Type your council name into the filter on this page, or pick it from the list, to see the full 2026/27 calendar — term start and end, October week, February mid-term, Easter, summer and in-service days. Each council page also links to the council's official term-dates source.