ScotRail engineering works 2026: Easter & May bank holidays

ScotRail’s engineering works are scheduled to take place during both the Easter Bank Holiday and the May Bank Holiday weekends. 

• On Glasgow Central to Motherwell/Lanark trains, service will only run between Motherwell and Lanark. Passengers can connect with trains at Motherwell for journeys via Hamilton or Carmyle.
• On the Glasgow Central to Edinburgh via Shotts line, an hourly train will operate, calling at all stations. Trains from Glasgow Central to Uddingston will be diverted via Mount Florida / Kirkhill.
• The Glasgow Central to Edinburgh via Carstairs service will, in part, be carried out by a ScotRail rail replacement bus between Glasgow Central and Haymarket.

• A 10:13 Glasgow Central to Carlisle train will replace both the 10:13 Glasgow Central to Kilmarnock and the 12:01 Dumfries to Carlisle trains.
• The 11:11 Carlisle to Dumfries train will instead depart Carlisle at 11:15, resulting in a later service at each subsequent station.
• A 13:06 Carlisle to Glasgow Central train will replace both the 13:06 Carlisle to Dumfries and the 14:59 Kilmarnock to Glasgow Central trains.
• The 14:08 Carlisle to Glasgow Central train will instead depart at 14:14.
• A 20:10 Carlisle to Glasgow Central train will replace both the 19:24 Carlisle to Dumfries and the 20:49 Dumfries to Glasgow Central trains.

 Early May Bank Holiday

• ScotRail engineering works will cause trains to be diverted between Motherwell and Uddingston via Bellshill.
• Trains running between Glasgow Central and Edinburgh via Shotts will run to an amended timetable.

Late May Bank Holiday

• On the Glasgow Central and Barrhead/Kilmarnock line, service will be carried out by a ScotRail rail replacement bus between Glasgow Central and Kilmarnock.

• On the Glasgow Central to Dumfries/Carlisle line, service will be carried out by a ScotRail replacement bus between Glasgow Central and Kilmarnock.

• The Glasgow Central to East Kilbride service will be carried out by buses. Service will skip Thorntonhall – please use alternate stations or contact Thorntonhall for travel assistance.
• The Glasgow Central to Newton/Cathcart Circle via Maxwell Park trains will be cancelled. All trains from Glasgow Central to Newton will instead operate via Mount Florida. 

Additionally, the following ScotRail disruption only applies to Monday, 25 May: 

• On the Glasgow Central to Neilston service, the last trains on this route will operate earlier than normal.

We recommend checking journey planners before setting out on your route in order to get the latest information, as timetables may need to be changed further as engineering projects progress. 

• Rail replacement buses are often put into operation where engineering works prevent trains from operating in certain areas. You can find the pick-up and drop-off location of a rail replacement service by checking signs at stations. At staffed stations, railway staff will be available to assist you (unless the bus pick-up is not at the station). You will not be able to take a non-folding bike onboard, and there will be limited space for folding bikes.
• Your route may be altered to offer a split or truncated service to avoid the area where engineering work is taking place. Truncated services terminate short at a major station before the work site. If your destination is before the closed-off area, your journey will not be affected. If it is after the affected area, you may have to transfer to another station via a rail replacement bus to continue your journey. In this case, you are experiencing a split service.
• In some cases, instead of truncating or splitting a journey, trains are diverted via alternative lines. This usually results in increased travel times.
• Trains will sometimes set out earlier or finish up later in the day to accommodate early morning or late-night engineering work. These altered first and last train times often mean the majority of service can run as normal, but if you usually travel at the start or end of service, your journey will be affected.
• To minimise disruption, engineering works are usually scheduled on Sundays and bank holidays, as passenger numbers on these days are typically lower than on weekdays. This allows major upgrades to be conducted without impacting commuter traffic.

Tips for handling ScotRail timetable changes

Luckily, there are some measures you can take yourself to keep the disruptions ScotRail engineering works have on your journey to a minimum:

• Allow extra time when travelling across Scotland, particularly for long-distance routes such as journeys between Glasgow, Aberdeen and Inverness.
• If you’re making a connection at major hubs such as Edinburgh (Waverley) or Glasgow Queen Street, consider buffing out the connection time. These stations will be busier than usual due to diversions and delays caused by these ScotRail engineering works, so you should avoid tight connections.

• Consider travelling earlier in the day if possible, to avoid the domino effect of compounded delays accumulating into larger delays in the evening.

• If you are aware of upcoming engineering works, it is worth waiting until timetable changes are confirmed before booking your travel.

• For long-distance journeys – such as Highland or island connections – it may be worth considering booking an overnight stay along the journey to avoid extended travel times. You can find cheap hotel stays at Trip.com Hotels to split your journey and make your travel more comfortable. 

Are ScotRail tickets valid on rail replacement buses?

How far in advance are ScotRail engineering works announced?

Major projects are generally announced several weeks to months in advance, with detailed information usually available closer to 12 weeks in advance. However, minor repairs or unforeseen disruptions may only be announced days or a few weeks in advance. 

Are Glasgow station closures common during bank holidays?

Yes, if closures are required at a Glasgow station, they will generally be scheduled for bank holidays. This is because this is when the fewest people are travelling, so it avoids disrupting major commuter travel. If your planned route to or from Glasgow is affected, you will be provided with alternative travel options, such as rail replacement or diverted routes.

Can I get a refund if I choose not to travel?

Yes, if your train is delayed or cancelled, you are entitled to a full refund without any fees from the original seller. This applies even if your ticket is usually non-refundable. If you choose not to travel for reasons not related to a delay or cancellation, your entitlement to a refund will depend on your ticket type.

Do engineering works usually affect Sunday services?

Yes, engineering works are usually planned for Sundays, as well as bank holidays and overnight. These are the times when the rail network is least busy, so disruptions during these times affect as few people as possible.