School holidays and term dates for 2026/27 in Edinburgh and Lothians: A comprehensive guide
The new school year is fast approaching, and parents and students alike are gearing up for the return to the classroom. To help you plan ahead, we've compiled a comprehensive list of term dates and holidays for schools across Edinburgh and Lothians for the 2026/27 academic year.
City of Edinburgh Council
Term 1
- Pupils return: Wednesday, August 12
- Autumn holiday: Monday, September 14
- Pupils return: Tuesday, September 15
- October break: Monday, October 12 - Monday, October 19
- Pupils return: Tuesday, October 20
- Term ends: Friday, December 18
- Christmas break: Monday, December 21 - Tuesday, January 5
Term 2
- Pupils return: Wednesday, January 6
- Mid-term: Monday, February 15 - Friday, February 19
- Pupils return: Monday, February 22
- Easter weekend: Friday, March 26 - Monday, March 29
- Pupils return: Tuesday, March 30
- Term ends: Friday, April 2
- Spring holidays: Monday, April 5 - Monday, April 19
Term 3
- Pupils return: Tuesday, April 20
- May Day: Monday, May 3
- In service: Tuesday, May 4
- Pupils return: Wednesday, May 5
- Victoria Day: Monday, May 24
- Pupils return: Tuesday, May 25
- School year ends: Tuesday, June 29
East Lothian
Term 1
- Pupils return: Wednesday, August 12
- Autumn holiday: Friday, September 11 - Monday, September 14
- Pupils return: Tuesday, September 15
- October break: Monday, October 12 - Monday, October 19
- Pupils return: Tuesday, October 20
- Term ends: Friday, December 18
- Christmas break: Monday, December 21 - Monday, January 4
Term 2
- Pupils return: Tuesday, January 5
- Mid-term break: Monday, February 15 - Monday, February 22
- Pupils return: Tuesday, February 23
- Easter weekend: Friday, March 26 - Monday, March 29
- Pupils return: Tuesday, March 30
- Term ends: Friday, April 2
- Spring holidays: Monday, April 5 - Monday, April 19
Term 3
- Pupils return: Tuesday, April 20
- May Day: Monday, May 3
- Pupils return: Tuesday, May 4
- In-service day: Monday, May 24
- Pupils return: Tuesday, May 25
- School year ends: Tuesday, June 29
West Lothian
Term 1
- Pupils return: Wednesday, August 12
- Autumn holiday: Monday, September 21
- Pupils return: Tuesday, September 22
- October break: Monday, October 19 - Monday, October 26
- Pupils return: Tuesday, October 27
- Term ends: Friday, December 18
- Christmas break: Monday, December 21 - Monday, January 4
Term 2
- Pupils return: Tuesday, January 5
- Mid-term: Monday, February 8 - Monday, February 15
- Pupils return: Tuesday, February 16
- Term ends: Thursday, March 25
- Easter holidays: Friday, March 26 - Friday, April 9
Term 3
- Pupils return: Monday, April 12
- May Day: Monday, May 3
- Pupils return: Tuesday, May 4
- In-service day: Thursday, May 6
- Spring holiday: Monday, May 24 (All schools except Bathgate Academy, Linlithgow Academy, St Mary’s Primary Bathgate, St Columba’s Primary, Blackburn Primary, Murrayfield Primary, St Joseph’s Primary, and Linlithgow Primary)
- Bathgate local holiday: Monday, June 7 (only Bathgate Academy, St Mary’s Primary, St Columba’s Primary, Blackburn Primary, and Murrayfield Primary)
- Linlithgow marches: Tuesday, June 15 (only Linlithgow Academy, St Joseph’s Primary, and Linlithgow Primary)
- School year ends: Friday, June 25
Midlothian
Term 1
- Pupils return: Thursday, August 13
- Autumn holiday: Friday, September 11 - Monday, September 14 (inclusive)
- Pupils return: Tuesday, September 15
- October break: Monday, October 12 - Monday, October 19
- Pupils return: Tuesday, October 20
- Term ends: Tuesday, December 22
- Christmas break: Wednesday, December 23 - Wednesday, January 6
Term 2
- Pupils return: Thursday, January 7
- Mid-term: Monday, February 15 - Friday, February 19
- Pupils return: Monday, February 22
- Easter break: Friday, March 26 - Monday, March 29
- Pupils return: Tuesday, March 30
- Term ends: Friday, April 2
Spring holiday: Monday, April 5 - Monday, April 19
Pupils return: Tuesday, April 20
May Day: Monday, May 3
Victoria Day: Monday, May 24
School year ends: Tuesday, June 29
This comprehensive guide provides a clear overview of the school holidays and term dates for the upcoming year, ensuring that parents and students can plan their schedules accordingly. Remember to mark these dates in your calendars and prepare for a smooth transition back to school.
