Scottish Bank Holidays and Public Holidays Explained

Bank Holidays in Scotland

Bank holidays in Scotland are the same across the whole of Scotland. They are determined under the Banking and Financial Dealings Act 1971 and the St Andrews Day Bank Holiday Scotland Act 2007.

The following are the bank holidays in Scotland in 2023:

• New Year's Day (1 January)
• Good Friday (7 April)
• Easter Monday (10 April)
• May Day (1 May)
• Spring Bank Holiday (29 May)
• Summer Bank Holiday (31 August)
• Christmas Day (25 December)
• Boxing Day (26 December)

Public or Local Holidays in Scotland

Public or local holidays on the other hand are determined by local councils. Each local council in Scotland has powers to make certain days local public holidays.

Public holidays can be chosen to commemorate a local event, such as a patron saint's day or a local festival.