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Why are Scotland's bank holidays different?

Bank holidays · Checked against gov.uk, mygov.scot and legislation.gov.uk on 26 October 2026. Updated .

9 in Scotland in 2027

Scotland has 9 bank holidays in 2027 against England and Wales's 8. It adds 2 January and St Andrew's Day, has no Easter Monday, and its summer bank holiday is the first Monday in August (Monday 2 August), not the last.

The differences in 2027

Scotland and England bank holidays compared, 2027
Bank holidayScotlandEngland and Wales
2nd JanuaryMon 4 Jan subnot a bank holiday
Easter Mondaynot a bank holidayMon 29 Mar
Summer bank holidayMon 2 AugMon 30 Aug
St Andrew’s DayTue 30 Novnot a bank holiday

Sources

Checked on 26 October 2026. This is general information about the legal minimum in the UK, not legal advice: your contract can give you more, and can set its own rules for notice and carrying over. For help with your own situation, call the Acas helpline on 0300 123 1100 (England, Scotland and Wales) or the Labour Relations Agency on 03300 555 300 (Northern Ireland).

More questions

Is Easter Monday a bank holiday in Scotland?

No. Good Friday is, but Easter Monday isn't on Scotland's list. Check your council's local holidays too.

When is the August bank holiday in Scotland?

The first Monday in August: Monday 2 August 2027 in 2027. The rest of the UK has it on the last Monday. August bank holiday 2027.