Scotland observes nine bank holidays per year — one more than England. The additional holiday is St Andrew’s Day (30 November), Scotland’s national day. Scotland also has different dates for the spring and autumn bank holidays.
Employers operating in Scotland must apply the Scottish calendar, not the English one. Getting the dates wrong creates payroll headaches and erodes employee trust. This guide lists every Scottish bank holiday for 2026, explains the differences from England, and covers your obligations as an employer.
This article is general information, not legal advice.
Key Takeaways
- Scotland has nine bank holidays — one more than England
- St Andrew’s Day (30 November) is a Scottish bank holiday with no English equivalent
- The spring and autumn bank holiday dates differ from England
- Bank holidays are included in the statutory 5.6 weeks annual leave
- There is no automatic substitute day if a bank holiday falls on a weekend
Scotland Bank Holidays 2026
| Bank Holiday | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| New Year’s Day | 1 January | Thursday |
| 2 January | 2 January | Friday |
| Good Friday | 3 April | Friday |
| Easter Monday | 6 April | Monday |
| Early May Bank Holiday | 4 May | Monday |
| Spring Bank Holiday | 25 May | Monday |
| Summer Bank Holiday | 31 August | Monday |
| St Andrew’s Day | 30 November | Monday |
| Christmas Day | 25 December | Friday |
| Boxing Day | 26 December | Saturday |
Note: Scotland gets 2 January as a bank holiday — a gift from the Hogmanay celebrations. England does not have this.
How Scotland Differs from England
The key differences between Scottish and English bank holidays:
| Feature | Scotland | England |
|---|---|---|
| Total bank holidays | 9 | 8 |
| 2 January | Bank holiday | Not a bank holiday |
| St Andrew’s Day | 30 November | Not observed |
| Spring bank holiday | Last Monday in May | Last Monday in May |
| Autumn bank holiday | First Monday in October | Last Monday in August |
St Andrew’s Day
St Andrew’s Day (30 November) became a bank holiday in Scotland in 2007. If it falls on a weekend, the following Monday is observed. In 2026, it falls on a Monday — no substitution needed.
The 2 January Gift
The 2 January bank holiday reflects Scotland’s Hogmanay (New Year) tradition. Many Scottish employees expect both 1 and 2 January off. If you’re an employer based in England with Scottish employees, you should observe the Scottish calendar for those staff.
Employer Obligations in Scotland
Contract Review
Check whether your employment contracts reference specific bank holidays or the “statutory minimum.” If a contract says “all UK bank holidays,” it should include Scottish bank holidays for Scottish-based employees.
Applying the Right Calendar
If you have employees in both England and Scotland, apply the correct calendar for each location. Many employers make the mistake of applying the English calendar across the UK — this means Scottish employees miss out on 2 January and St Andrew’s Day.
Bank Holiday Rota
Some employers run a single UK-wide rota. If you do this, ensure Scottish employees still receive their additional holidays. You can adjust the rota to account for the extra days.
Pay Rules
The pay rules for bank holidays in Scotland mirror those in England:
- No statutory right to time off — it depends on the contract
- No statutory premium pay — enhanced rates are contractual, not legal
- Contract guarantees bank holidays off — the employee receives a paid day off
- Required to work — normal pay applies unless the contract specifies otherwise
Bank Holiday Falling on a Weekend
As with England, there is no automatic right to a substitute day off in Scotland when a bank holiday falls on a weekend. However:
- St Andrew’s Day on 30 November 2026 falls on a Monday, so no issue there
- Boxing Day falls on a Saturday — no automatic substitute in Scotland either
- Your employer may offer a substitute day as a gesture of goodwill
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Scottish employees get more leave than English employees?
Not necessarily. The statutory minimum is 5.6 weeks for all UK workers. Since Scotland has nine bank holidays, Scottish employees need only 19 additional leave days to reach the minimum (vs 20 in England). However, most Scottish employers match the English leave allowance.
Can an English employer apply the Scottish calendar?
Yes, an employer can choose to apply the Scottish bank holiday calendar across all UK locations. This is often done to simplify administration. The employer cannot apply the Scottish calendar selectively to avoid giving extra days off.
Is St Andrew’s Day a paid day off?
If your contract guarantees bank holidays off, yes. If your contract is silent on bank holidays, the employer has discretion over whether to give the day off.
What if I work in Scotland but my employer is based in England?
The bank holiday calendar that applies depends on where you work, not where the employer is headquartered. Scottish-based employees should receive Scottish bank holidays.
Do Scottish banks close on different days?
Yes. Scottish banks follow the Scottish bank holiday calendar and may also observe local holidays not shared with English banks.