Why isn't Easter Monday a bank holiday in Scotland? Here are the councils off for the day, school holidays and more
Here’s what you need to know about Easter holidays in Scotland, from council differences, school holidays and more.
Despite some areas of Scotland being hit with snow last week, Easter is almost here - bringing with it a lovely long weekend.
The year seems to have flown by so far with the Good Friday bank holiday on April 3 heralding the beginning of Easter celebrations.
Unlike other areas of the UK, however, Scotland doesn’t recognise Easter Monday as a national public holiday, meaning that not everyone is entitled to an extra day off.
Instead local authorities are responsible for deciding if Easter Monday is observed where you live. For example, Edinburgh City Council and Glasgow City Council both recognise the day as a public holiday, while those such as Aberdeen City Council do not.
Here’s what you need to know about the Easter Monday bank holiday in Scotland - and if you are entitled to a day off or not.
When is Easter Monday 2026?
Easter Monday is on April 6, 2026, following Good Friday on April 3 and Easter Sunday on April 5.
Good Friday is a public holiday in Scotland, which is followed by the early May bank holiday - but not Easter Monday.
Is Easter Monday a bank holiday in Scotland?
There are 32 councils in Scotland, with the majority of them recognising Easter Monday as a public holiday — though there are some notable exceptions.
Typically a public holiday means that council offices will be closed and services put on hold, but this may differ depending on where you live.
In addition, public holidays around Easter often fall within the spring holidays for schools.
The Scottish councils which recognise Easter Monday as a bank holiday
Out of 32 councils in Scotland, 26 recognise Easter Monday, this year falling on April 6, as a bank holiday:
- Angus Council
- Argyll and Bute Council
- Clackmannanshire Council
- Comhairle nan Eilean Siar
- Dumfries and Galloway Council
- Dundee City Council
- East Ayrshire Council
- East Dunbartonshire Council
- East Lothian Council
- East Renfrewshire Council
- Edinburgh Council
- Falkirk Council
- Glasgow City Council
- Highland Council
- Inverclyde Council
- Moray Council (some local exceptions)
- North Lanarkshire Council
- Orkney Islands Council
- Perth and Kinross Council
- Renfrewshire Council
- Shetland Islands Council
- South Ayrshire Council
- South Lanarkshire Council
- Stirling Council
- West Dunbartonshire Council
- West Lothian Council
There are some exceptions within different local authorities, such as Moray Council, where the majority of areas will mark Easter Monday as a public holiday, while other areas including Elgin, Lhyanbryde, Findochty, Fochabers, Garmouth, Kingston, Mosstodloch, Spey Bay, Urquhart and Forres don’t.
Make sure you don't miss a moment of breaking news from across Scotland by signing up to our free newsletter here.
The council areas in Scotland where Easter Monday isn’t a public holiday
There are then six councils in Scotland which don’t consider Easter Monday a public holiday. These are:
- Aberdeen City Council
- Aberdeenshire Council
- Fife Council
- Midlothian Council
- North Ayrshire Council
- Scottish Borders Council
Is Easter Monday a school holiday? Scottish Spring holiday dates 2026
Typically the arrival of Easter also marks the beginning of school holidays around Scotland, with many councils lining up the spring term break with the annual celebration.
This tends to happen regardless of which councils mark Easter Monday as a public holiday. Here are all of the school holiday dates you need to know, broken down by council region.
If you are unsure about any school holiday dates, it is best to check in either with your local council website or with your child’s school directly.
Comments
Want to join the conversation? Please or to comment on this article.