Parents and pupils across Scotland are preparing for the return to classrooms following the summer break, with term start dates varying across all 32 council areas. The reopening schedule for Scottish schools is determined locally, resulting in differences of more than a week between the earliest and latest return dates.
According to information compiled by Daily Record, some councils resume lessons on Wednesday, August 13, while others begin as late as Thursday, August 21. This variation means that families should refer to their council’s published term calendar to confirm exact dates and ensure that pupils are present from the first day of the new academic year.
Full Alphabetical List of Return Dates
Below is the complete list of Scottish councils and the exact return date for pupils, including the day of the week:
- Aberdeen City Council – Tuesday, August 19
- Aberdeenshire Council – Wednesday, August 20
- Angus Council – Tuesday, August 19
- Argyll and Bute Council – Thursday, August 14
- Clackmannanshire Council – Wednesday, August 13
- Comhairle nan Eilean Siar – Thursday, August 14
- Dumfries and Galloway Council – Thursday, August 21
- Dundee City Council – Tuesday, August 19
- East Ayrshire Council – Wednesday, August 20
- East Dunbartonshire Council – Thursday, August 14
- East Lothian Council – Wednesday, August 13
- East Renfrewshire Council – Wednesday, August 13
- Edinburgh City Council – Wednesday, August 13
- Falkirk Council – Wednesday, August 13
- Fife Council – Wednesday, August 20
- Glasgow City Council – Thursday, August 14
- Highland Council – Tuesday, August 19
- Inverclyde Council – Tuesday, August 19
- Midlothian Council – Wednesday, August 13
- Moray Council – Wednesday, August 20
- North Ayrshire Council (including Arran) – Wednesday, August 20
- North Lanarkshire Council – Thursday, August 14
- Orkney Islands Council – Tuesday, August 19
- Perth and Kinross Council – Tuesday, August 19
- Renfrewshire Council – Monday, August 18
- Scottish Borders Council – Wednesday, August 20
- Shetland Islands Council – Wednesday, August 20
- South Ayrshire Council – Tuesday, August 20
- South Lanarkshire Council – Thursday, August 14
- Stirling Council – Wednesday, August 13
- West Dunbartonshire Council – Friday, August 15
- West Lothian Council – Wednesday, August 13
This arrangement reflects the decentralised approach in Scotland, where every council is responsible for its own term structure.
Earliest Starts
Eight Scottish schools open on Wednesday, August 13, including Clackmannanshire, East Lothian, East Renfrewshire, Edinburgh City, Falkirk, Midlothian, Stirling, and West Lothian. Pupils in these areas will have one of the shortest summer breaks.
Mid-August Return Dates
Thursday, August 14 sees the reopening in Argyll and Bute, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, East Dunbartonshire, Glasgow City, North Lanarkshire, and South Lanarkshire. West Dunbartonshire resumes on Friday, August 15, and Renfrewshire starts on Monday, August 18.
Later Starts
Tuesday, August 19 marks the return for pupils in Aberdeen City, Angus, Dundee City, Highland, Inverclyde, Orkney Islands, and Perth and Kinross.
Wednesday, August 20 is the start date for Aberdeenshire, East Ayrshire, Fife, Moray, North Ayrshire (including Arran), Scottish Borders, Shetland Islands, and South Ayrshire.
The final return date in the calendar is Thursday, August 21, for pupils in Dumfries and Galloway.
Changes Planned for 2025
Local authorities are already discussing term adjustments for the future. As one council noted:
Having consulted with their school communities, they are planning a pilot of a two-week half-term in October 2025, with the aim of improving attendance in the second half of the autumn term, having had a slightly longer break.
If adopted more widely, this could mean later starts for some Scottish schools in future years.
