Scotland School Holidays, Half Term & Term Dates 2025 - 2026

Stay ahead of the school calendar with this complete guide to Scotland school holidays and term dates in 2025 and 2026. Whether you're a parent arranging time off, a teacher planning lessons, or a student counting down to summer, this page has everything you need.

School term dates in Scotland can vary depending on the local authorities and the type of school; therefore, please verify the exact dates with your school.

What's the next school holiday in Scotland?

22 Dec - 2 Jan

Christmas

Starts in 27 days

Scotland School Term & Half Term Dates Table 2025 - 2026

The current school term in Scotland is the Autumn, running from 1 Sep 2025 to 19 Dec 2025.

Differences in School Holiday Calendars Across the UK

School term dates and holidays aren't the same everywhere in the UK, they're managed differently depending on where you live. Here's how it breaks down by nation:

• England & Wales: Term dates are usually set by local councils, but academies and free schools have the flexibility to create their own calendars. This means dates can vary even within the same area.
• Scotland: Each local authority in Scotland sets its own dates. There's more regional variation here, even within the same term.
• Northern Ireland: Term dates are more consistent across schools and are often set by the Education Authority. This means fewer differences between schools.

Always check directly with your local council or school website to confirm exact term dates.

List of Local Authorities in Scotland with Term Date Pages

Find School Holiday Dates in Scotland by Local Authority & City

What’s the Difference Between a Term, a Half Term, and a Holiday?

Understanding the UK school calendar can be tricky — especially with terms, half-terms, and holidays all meaning different things. Here's how it breaks down:

• Term: A block of time when schools are open, usually split into three per year — Autumn, Spring, and Summer.
• Half Term: A short break in the middle of each term, typically lasting one week.
• School Holidays: These are the longer school breaks between terms — such as Christmas, Easter, and the summer holidays. These can last two to six weeks, depending on the time of year.

While this structure is consistent across the UK, the exact dates can vary by region and school type, particularly in Scotland.