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.
