Dumfries and Galloway school holidays 2026–2027 provide the official term dates and holiday periods for primary and secondary schools in the Dumfries and Galloway council area of Scotland. These dates define when pupils are expected in school and when scheduled breaks occur during the academic year.
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What These Dates Mean
The Scottish school year is divided into four main terms with corresponding holiday breaks. The calendar includes autumn and spring breaks, a Christmas break, a spring holiday around Easter, and a long summer holiday. Scheduled staff training or in-service days mean pupils do not attend school on those dates even though they fall within a term.
Term Dates and Holidays 2026–2027
Term 1 (Autumn)
- First day of term: Thursday 20 August 2026
- Last day before autumn holiday: Friday 9 October 2026
- Autumn holiday: Monday 12 October 2026 to Friday 23 October 2026
Term 2 (Winter)
- First day of term: Monday 26 October 2026
- Last day before Christmas holiday: Friday 18 December 2026
- Christmas holiday: Monday 21 December 2026 to Wednesday 6 January 2027
Term 3 (Spring)
- First day of term: Thursday 7 January 2027
- School closed (staff training): Friday 19 February 2027
- Last day before spring holiday: Thursday 25 March 2027
- Spring holiday: Friday 26 March 2027 to Friday 9 April 2027
Term 4 (Summer)
- First day of term: Monday 12 April 2027
- May Day holiday: Monday 3 May 2027
- School closed (staff training): Friday 28 May 2027
- Last day of term: Friday 2 July 2027
- Summer holiday: Monday 5 July 2027 to Friday 20 August 2027
These dates apply to schools in the Dumfries and Galloway council area. Individual schools may also schedule additional staff in-service days when pupils are not in attendance.
Public and Bank Holidays Impacting School Attendance
During the 2026–2027 academic year, several national holidays or council-wide closures affect school attendance:
- May Day Holiday: Monday 3 May 2027 (pupils do not attend school)
Public holidays like Good Friday and Easter Monday fall within the spring break or outside term dates.
Who These Dates Apply To
These official term dates apply to:
- Primary schools
- Secondary schools
- Specialist and additional support schools within the Dumfries and Galloway council area
Although widely adopted, some independent schools may operate on slightly different calendars.
Staff Training Days and Pupil Attendance
Schools schedule in-service or staff training days where classes are not in session even though they fall during term time. For 2026–2027, planned closures include:
- Friday 19 February 2027 (Term 3)
- Friday 28 May 2027 (Term 4)
Parents and carers should always check school-specific calendars for any changes or additional closures.
Planning Family Time Around School Holidays
Understanding these dates helps families and carers plan:
- Childcare arrangements
- Family holidays during extended breaks
- Work leave around school closures
- Appointments and care schedules
The long summer holiday from early July to late August provides the most extended break of the year.
Common Mistakes Parents Make
- Not checking individual school calendars: School-specific events or additional training days may affect attendance.
- Assuming dates align with other councils: Scottish councils set their own calendars and differ from neighbouring regions.
- Booking travel during term time: This can lead to unauthorised absence and impact attendance records.
- Overlooking mid-term closures: Autumn and spring breaks are important and can affect childcare plans if not accounted for early.
FAQs: Dumfries and Galloway School Holidays 2026–2027
- When do schools start in Dumfries and Galloway for 2026–2027? The first day of the academic year is Thursday 20 August 2026.
- When is the autumn holiday? The autumn holiday runs from Monday 12 October to Friday 23 October 2026.
- When are the Christmas holidays? Christmas break runs from Monday 21 December 2026 to Wednesday 6 January 2027.
- When does the summer holiday begin? Summer holiday starts on Monday 5 July 2027 and continues through Friday 20 August 2027.
- Do these dates apply to all schools? They apply to council-run schools; independent schools may have different calendars.
Final Thoughts
The Dumfries and Galloway school holidays 2026–2027 provide a clear roadmap for planning the academic year. With scheduled breaks in October, December, March, and a long summer holiday, families can organise childcare, travel and activities around official term dates. Always verify specific school calendars for any updates or additional closures.