Scotland · The Highland Council
Highland term dates 2026-27 and 2027-28
The Highland Council calendar for 2026-27 and 2027-28: October holiday 12 to 23 October 2026, then Christmas holidays from 23 December 2026.
Highland schools go back on Wednesday 19 August 2026 and the 2026-27 school year ends on Thursday 1 July 2027, according to the calendar published by The Highland Council. The October break lasts two full weeks, from 12 to 23 October 2026, twice the usual half term in most of England. Christmas holidays run from 23 December 2026 to 5 January 2027, with pupils back on Wednesday 6 January 2027. February mid-term is 15 to 16 February 2027, only 2 days. The Easter holidays cover 26 March to 9 April 2027, taking in Good Friday and Easter Monday. The summer holidays start on Friday 2 July 2027. That leaves 190 weekdays in school once the 5 in-service days fixed by the council are taken out. The 2027-28 calendar is already published: school starts on Wednesday 18 August 2027 and the October break is 11 to 22 October 2027. Dates read on The Highland Council's own web page on 13 October 2026.
Dates read by Radif Partners · Editorial policy · How the dates are checked
What is particular about Highland
Highland schools have two week holidays in October, at Christmas and New Year, and at Easter, and a summer holiday of 6 to 8 weeks.
One in-service day falls in mid September (Monday 14 September 2026 and Monday 13 September 2027) instead of a September weekend holiday.
Holiday dates are inclusive: for holidays from 14 to 21 October, pupils return on 22 October.
The February break is two days (a Monday and Tuesday) followed by an in-service day on the Wednesday.
Term 4 ends on a Thursday, with the summer holidays starting on Friday 2 July 2027 and Friday 30 June 2028.
The council offers a printable copy of the calendar and a way to add the dates to a personal calendar.
Highland term dates 2026-27
| Period | Dates | Weekdays |
|---|---|---|
| Term 1 | Monday 17 August 2026 to Friday 9 October 2026 | 40 |
| October holiday | 12 to 23 October 2026 | 10 |
| Term 2 | Monday 26 October 2026 to Tuesday 22 December 2026 | 42 |
| Christmas holidays | 23 December 2026 to 5 January 2027 | 10 |
| Term 3 | Wednesday 6 January 2027 to Friday 12 February 2027 | 28 |
| February mid-term | 15 to 16 February 2027 | 2 |
| Term 3 | Wednesday 17 February 2027 to Thursday 25 March 2027 | 27 |
| Easter holidays | 26 March to 9 April 2027 | 11 |
| Term 4 | Monday 12 April 2027 to Thursday 1 July 2027 | 59 |
| Summer holidays | 2 July to 13 August 2027 | 31 |
In-service days fixed by the council, pupils at home: Monday 17 August 2026, Tuesday 18 August 2026, Monday 14 September 2026, Wednesday 17 February 2027, Thursday 6 May 2027.
Five in-service days set by the council: 17 and 18 August 2026, 14 September 2026, 17 February 2027 and 6 May 2027. On in-service days, schools are closed to students.
Highland term dates 2027-28
| Period | Dates | Weekdays |
|---|---|---|
| Term 1 | Monday 16 August 2027 to Friday 8 October 2027 | 40 |
| October holiday | 11 to 22 October 2027 | 10 |
| Term 2 | Monday 25 October 2027 to Tuesday 21 December 2027 | 42 |
| Christmas holidays | 22 December 2027 to 4 January 2028 | 10 |
| Term 3 | Wednesday 5 January 2028 to Friday 11 February 2028 | 28 |
| February mid-term | 14 to 15 February 2028 | 2 |
| Term 3 | Wednesday 16 February 2028 to Friday 31 March 2028 | 33 |
| Easter holidays | 3 to 17 April 2028 | 11 |
| Term 4 | Tuesday 18 April 2028 to Thursday 29 June 2028 | 53 |
How Highland compares
Highland keeps the most common Scottish dates for its february mid-term and easter holidays.
It moves away from the usual pattern for its october holiday (12 to 23 October 2026, where 4 of the 7 Scottish calendars on this site have 12 to 16 October 2026) and summer holidays (2 July to 13 August 2027, where 1 of the 7 Scottish calendars on this site have 2 July to 20 August 2027). A family with children in two areas should check these weeks first.
In the Scotland region, Aberdeenshire and Fife share the same Easter break, while Edinburgh, Glasgow, North Lanarkshire and South Lanarkshire use different Easter dates.