2 January 2027 Countdown in Scotland

In 2027, the holiday known as 2 January in Scotland falls on Saturday 2 January 2027. The observed date is the same as the calendar date, so there is no separate substitute day in that year.

Because 2 January 2027 is a Saturday, many office-based workers in Scotland are already off, but the public holiday still matters for businesses that normally trade at weekends. The date also means the Scottish New Year period runs from Hogmanay on 31 December through New Year’s Day on Friday 1 January and into this additional holiday on the Saturday.

The holiday called 2 January, known by the same name in English and locally, is closely tied to Scotland’s strong Hogmanay and New Year traditions. Historically, Scottish communities placed more emphasis on New Year than on Christmas, which helped create the custom of extending celebrations beyond 1 January.

Over time, giving people an extra day after New Year’s Day became a way to allow families to visit relatives, recover from late-night festivities and complete first-footing rounds. Recognising this pattern, Scotland developed 2 January as a formal public and bank holiday, distinguishing Scottish New Year customs from those in much of the rest of the United Kingdom.

2 January is treated as a public holiday in Scotland, but it is not a national holiday across the whole United Kingdom. In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, 2 January 2027 is typically regarded as an ordinary Saturday rather than a special public holiday date.

Within Scotland, many government offices, most banks and a large share of schools recognise 2 January as part of the New Year break when it falls on a weekday. In 2027 it lands on a Saturday, so the impact is felt more in weekend-based services such as retail, hospitality and public attractions, where opening hours can vary rather than stopping completely.

For many people in Scotland, the 2 January holiday is a slower, quieter continuation of the Hogmanay and New Year period. Families often use the day to visit relatives they did not see on 1 January, enjoy a relaxed meal together, or take a walk if the winter weather allows.

Some communities may organise informal gatherings, dances or ceilidh-style evenings around the New Year, and these can spill over into 2 January depending on local custom. Everyday routines on this date often blend rest and recovery from late-night celebrations with practical tasks such as tidying up after parties or preparing for a return to work and school once the New Year break ends.

On the 2 January holiday in Scotland, many government services, local council offices and most schools are not operating as normal, especially in years when the date falls on a weekday. In 2027 the holiday lands on a Saturday, so closures may be less noticeable because many offices and public services are already shut for the weekend.

Retail and hospitality businesses tend to vary: larger supermarkets and shopping centres often open with reduced New Year trading hours, while smaller independent shops may choose to stay closed. Pubs, restaurants and tourist attractions commonly open on 2 January but may run on weekend or holiday timetables, so checking local hours in advance is advisable.

Because 2 January 2027 falls on a Saturday, residents who work standard Monday–Friday schedules may not notice major changes to their workweek, but weekend shifts in retail, hospitality and transport can be affected. It is sensible to confirm rota patterns, delivery dates and appointment times, as some organisations adjust staffing levels or opening hours around the Scottish New Year period.

Visitors spending New Year in Scotland in late 2026 and early 2027 can expect busy city centres on the nights around Hogmanay, followed by a calmer atmosphere on 2 January itself. Booking accommodation and intercity travel well ahead of time is wise, while leaving some flexibility in your plans on 2 January allows you to adapt to reduced shop hours, slightly quieter public transport schedules and a generally slower pace across towns and cities.