Several bank holidays in Scotland differ from those that take place in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
While 2024 is mostly over, there are still some bank holidays coming up for you to enjoy.
If you're hoping for a bank holiday weekend this month, here is everything you need to know.
Is there a bank holiday weekend in Scotland this August?
There will be a bank holiday weekend in Scotland this August with workers and students across the country getting Monday, August 5 off.
This is part of Scotland's 'summer bank holiday' and is held on the first Monday of August.
All the Scottish bank holidays still to come in 2024
Here are all the bank holidays still to come in Scotland this year.
- August 5, Monday - Summer bank holiday
- December 2 Monday - St Andrew's Day (substitute day)
- December 25, Wednesday - Christmas Day
- December 26, Thursday - Boxing Day
What is a bank holiday and why do we have them?
According to the BBC, the United Kingdom has had official bank holidays since 1871 after they were formally recognised by an Act of Parliament.
On these days, banks were allowed to close, hence the name. Soon after, other institutions like schools as well as businesses began closing their doors on these dates.
Despite adopting official bank holidays well over a hundred years ago, the UK as a whole actually has one of the lowest number of public holidays in the world with just eight a year.
Scotland has a number of differing bank holidays, including St Andrews Day and January 2.
There will be a bank holiday in Scotland on Monday, August 5.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here