Public and bank holidays

Local public holidays

Each local council in Scotland has powers to make certain days 'local' public holidays.

Bank holidays

Bank holidays are the same across Scotland. If a bank holiday is on a weekend, a 'substitute' weekday becomes a bank holiday. This would normally be the Monday after the original date.

Your employer does not have to give you paid leave on bank or public holidays. Check your employment contract for what days your employer agreed you could take.

Bank holidays might affect how and when your benefits are paid. If the payment of benefits date is on a bank holiday, they will normally be paid on the day before the bank holiday.

Find bank holiday dates in England, Wales and Northern Ireland on GOV.UK.

2023 bank holidays

Past bank holidays