Scotland School Holidays 2025 – Complete Guide to Term Dates
Planning ahead for the 2025–2026 school year in Scotland means navigating term dates set by 32 individual councils. This guide brings together the latest official information from local authorities including Edinburgh, Glasgow, South Lanarkshire, Renfrewshire, and the Scottish Borders, alongside a national overview, to help families find the exact dates they need.
When Are the School Holidays in Scotland for 2025/2026?
Key dates: Start term 18 Aug 2025 (varies by council), October break 13–17 Oct, Christmas 22 Dec – 2 Jan, Easter (April 2026), Summer break from late June 2026.
October: 12–19 Oct, Christmas: 22 Dec–2 Jan, Easter: 3–17 Apr 2026, Summer: 25 Jun –? (check council site).
October: 13–17 Oct, Christmas: 22 Dec–2 Jan, Easter: 3–17 Apr 2026, Summer: 25 Jun –? (check council site).
Each council sets its own dates, especially for local holidays and in-service days. Always confirm with your specific council.
- The Scottish school year typically starts in mid-August and ends in late June.
- Most councils follow a common pattern: autumn term (Aug–Oct), October break, winter term (Oct–Dec), Christmas break, spring term (Jan–Apr), Easter break, summer term (Apr–Jun), with local holidays added.
- There is no single national set of dates; each of the 32 local councils publishes its own calendar.
- Easter holidays in 2025 (for the 2024/2025 year) occur in April 2025. For the 2025/2026 year, Easter 2026 will be in late March/early April.
- Summer break 2025 (end of 2024/2025 year) starts in late June 2025; the 2025/2026 year begins in August 2025.
| Council | Start 2025 | October Break | Christmas Break | Easter 2026 | Summer End 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Edinburgh | 18 Aug 2025 | 12–19 Oct | 22 Dec – 2 Jan | 3–17 Apr 2026 | 25 Jun 2026 (TBC) |
| Glasgow | 18 Aug 2025 | 13–17 Oct | 22 Dec – 2 Jan | 3–17 Apr 2026 | 25 Jun 2026 (1pm) |
| South Lanarkshire | 18 Aug 2025 | 13–17 Oct | 22 Dec – 2 Jan | 3–17 Apr 2026 | 25 Jun 2026 (1pm) |
| Renfrewshire | 18 Aug 2025 | 13–17 Oct | 22 Dec – 2 Jan | 3–17 Apr 2026 | 25 Jun 2026 |
Dates are approximations based on official council information. Always verify with your local authority.
What Are the Edinburgh School Holiday Dates for 2025?
Edinburgh City Council publishes term dates that align closely with the national pattern but include specific in-service days and local holidays. The 2025/2026 year is divided into six terms, according to the official calendar.
Edinburgh term dates at a glance
- Term 1: Wed 13 Aug – Fri 10 Oct 2025
- Term 2: Mon 20 Oct – Fri 19 Dec 2025
- Term 3: Tue 6 Jan – Fri 13 Feb 2026
- Term 4: Mon 23 Feb – Thu 2 Apr 2026
- Term 5: Tue 21 Apr – Fri 22 May 2026
- Term 6: Mon 1 Jun – Fri 26 Jun 2026
The October break runs from Sunday 12 October to Monday 19 October 2025, with pupils returning on Tuesday 20 October. Christmas break is from Monday 22 December 2025 to Friday 2 January 2026. Easter 2026 falls in early April, and the summer holidays begin after Friday 26 June 2026.
For the most precise dates, including in-service days, visit the official Edinburgh Council term dates page. The council states that holiday dates are inclusive, meaning a range like 12–19 October includes both start and end days.
What Are the Glasgow School Holidays for 2025?
Glasgow City Council follows a similar seasonal pattern, with the academic year starting in mid-August. The October break is typically the same week as most other councils, and the Christmas closure matches the common calendar.
Glasgow 2025/2026 term highlights
- First day for pupils: 18 August 2025
- October mid-term break: 13–17 October 2025
- Christmas break: 22 December 2025 – 2 January 2026
- Easter break: 3–17 April 2026
- Summer break begins: 25 June 2026 (schools close at 1pm)
Glasgow also includes local holidays and in-service days that may differ from neighbouring councils. The official source for all dates is the Glasgow Council school term dates page.
When Are the Easter, Summer, October, and Christmas Break Dates in Scotland?
The timing of the main school breaks is broadly consistent across Scotland, though exact dates vary by a day or two depending on the council. Below is an overview of the four major holiday periods for the 2025/2026 school year.
October break
Most councils schedule the mid-autumn break for the week starting Monday 13 October 2025 through Friday 17 October 2025. Some councils, such as Edinburgh, include the preceding weekend (12–19 October). The following Monday, 20 October, is frequently used as an in-service day (schools closed to pupils).
Christmas break
The Christmas holiday almost universally runs from Monday 22 December 2025 to Friday 2 January 2026. Schools reopen on Monday 5 January 2026. Some councils end the autumn term on Friday 19 December 2025 with an early finish.
Easter break
Easter Sunday falls on 5 April 2026. The school break typically spans two weeks, from Friday 3 April to Friday 17 April 2026, though some councils may start a day earlier or later. For example, South Lanarkshire confirms Easter as 3–17 April 2026.
Summer break
The summer holiday begins in the final week of June 2026. Many councils close on Friday 25 June 2026, with some finishing at 1pm (Glasgow, South Lanarkshire). Other councils, like the Scottish Borders, continue until Thursday 2 July 2026.
St Andrew’s Day (1 December 2025) is a public holiday in Scotland, and most councils close schools on that date. However, some treat it as a normal school day and add the holiday elsewhere. Always confirm with your specific council’s calendar.
Are School Holidays the Same Across All Scottish Councils?
No, they are not identical. Education is devolved to local authorities, meaning each of Scotland’s 32 councils sets its own term dates, in-service days, and local holidays. While the general pattern is similar – August start, October and Christmas breaks, Easter and summer holidays – differences arise in:
- Start and end dates of each term (e.g., some councils start pupils in mid-August, others a week earlier or later).
- Local holidays (e.g., the Glasgow Fair, Edinburgh’s local holidays, or the September holiday in Renfrewshire).
- In-service days (staff training days when schools are closed to pupils).
- Timing of the February mid-term break.
For instance, the Scottish Borders Council begins the autumn term with staff in-service on 18–19 August and pupils starting on 20 August, while South Lanarkshire has pupils in from 14 August. The national overview from Expatica’s UK school holidays guide provides a general reference, but families should consult their own council’s website for exact dates.
What Does a Typical Scottish School Year Timeline Look Like for 2025/2026?
The academic year runs from mid-August 2025 to late June 2026. Below is a chronological timeline of the major holiday periods based on official data.
- 18 August 2025 – First day of term for most councils (pupils start).
- 13–17 October 2025 – October break (most councils).
- 22 December 2025 – 2 January 2026 – Christmas break.
- 16–20 February 2026 – February mid-term break (many councils).
- 3–17 April 2026 – Easter break (varies by council).
- 25–27 June 2026 – Summer break begins (exact date varies by council; some end earlier).
The Scottish Borders Council, for example, finishes the summer term on Thursday 2 July 2026, while most urban councils conclude in the last week of June.
Which Dates Are Certain and Which Remain Unclear for the 2025/2026 Year?
| Established information | Information that remains unclear |
|---|---|
| The 2025/2026 school year starts in mid-August 2025 for most councils. | Exact start dates vary by council; some have different start dates due to local holidays. |
| There is an October break in the second or third week of October 2025. | In-service days are set individually and may not be listed on generic calendars. |
| Christmas break is typically from just before Christmas until the first week of January. | Future years (2026/2027) are not yet fully published; dates provided are provisional. |
| Easter break is in April (as Easter Sunday falls on 5 April 2026). | Some councils may add extra local holidays or adjust term lengths. |
| The school year ends in late June 2026. | Exact end dates can differ by up to a week between councils. |
How Does the Scottish School Year Structure Differ from Other Parts of the UK?
Scotland’s school year follows a term system that is distinct from England. There is no half-term in the same way; instead, there are mid-term breaks in October, February, and sometimes May. The school year begins in August rather than September. The Scottish Government sets a minimum of 190 school days per year, but local councils decide the exact term dates, including five in-service days and local public holidays such as St Andrew’s Day (1 December).
Parents often need to consult multiple websites because no single source aggregates all 32 council calendars. This page pulls together dates for major councils to simplify planning. The Easter holiday timing shifts each year; for the 2025/2026 academic year, Easter Sunday is 5 April 2026, so the break falls in early to mid-April.
Which Official Sources Provide the Most Accurate School Holiday Dates?
The most reliable sources are the official council websites. Below are key links used to compile the information above.
“School term dates for Edinburgh schools are published annually by the City of Edinburgh Council. Check the official page for the latest updates.”
“Glasgow City Council’s school term dates page provides the approved calendar for the academic year.”
- South Lanarkshire school holidays
- Renfrewshire term dates
- Scottish Borders term dates
- Primary Times Edinburgh/Lothians school term dates
What Should Parents Know About Planning for the 2025–2026 School Year in Scotland?
While the broad holiday pattern is predictable, small differences between councils mean it is essential to check your local authority’s official calendar. For the 2026/2027 academic year, most councils will publish dates in late 2025 or early 2026. The general pattern will remain similar: start in mid-August, October break in October, Christmas break late December to early January, Easter in April, and summer break from late June. For a comprehensive comparison, see the Scotland School Holidays 2025-2026: Term Dates by Council article for further detail.
Frequently Asked Questions About Scotland School Holidays 2025
Are Scottish school holidays the same for all councils?
No, each local council sets its own term dates. While many follow a similar pattern, there are differences in start dates, local holidays, and in-service days.
How many weeks are the summer holidays in Scotland?
The summer break typically lasts around 6–7 weeks, from late June to mid-August, but exact duration varies by council.
When do Scottish schools start in 2025 for the new academic year?
Most Scottish schools start the 2025/2026 year on Monday 18 August 2025, but some councils may start a week earlier or later.
What is an in-service day in Scottish schools?
In-service days are professional development days for teachers. Schools are closed to pupils. Each council sets its own in-service days, often at the start of term or after holidays.
Where can I find the exact dates for my local council?
Visit your council’s official website and search for ‘school term dates’ or ‘school holidays’. Links to major councils are provided in the Sources section above.
Is St Andrew’s Day a school holiday?
In many councils, yes – schools close on 1 December (or the nearest Monday). But some councils treat it as a normal day or adjust elsewhere. Check your council calendar.
When is the February mid-term break in 2026?
Most councils schedule it for the week of 16–20 February 2026, with the preceding Monday often an in-service day.
Do Scottish schools close for May Day?
Yes, Monday 4 May 2026 is a public holiday and most councils close schools. Some also add the Tuesday as an in-service day.
Are the dates for the 2026/2027 year available yet?
Not yet. Most councils publish the following year’s dates in late autumn or early spring. Check back later or visit your council’s website.
Why does the school year start in August in Scotland?
Traditionally, Scottish schools start in mid-August, earlier than in England, to align with the agricultural calendar and to allow a longer summer break before harvest season. The system remains unchanged.
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