Summer bank holiday in 2025

When is the August Bank Holiday in Scotland?

This is a bank holiday observed in Scotland on the first Monday in August. The August Bank Holiday is observed on the last Monday in August in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

History of the August Bank Holiday in Scotland

Unlike the Spring bank holidays, the August holiday does not represent a modern version of any older religious festival.

Maybe Sir John Lubbock did choose it in 1871 to coincide with a key cricket match, but more likely the date holiday in August was selected to give workers a last chance to enjoy the summer, before the long period without holidays up to Christmas.

The holiday in England, Wales and Northern Ireland was moved to the last Monday in August in 1971 following a a successful trial that began in 1965.

Scotland kept the original date, which is why they have the August bank holiday on a different date to the rest of the United Kingdom.

Confusingly, in Scotland, banks will be shut on the last Monday in August, even though it is not a bank holiday. This is done for business reasons to align with banks in the rest of the United Kingdom.