Aberdeenshire Council staff will not get World Cup holiday

Council staff in Aberdeenshire will not get an additional public holiday to mark Scotland's participation in the World Cup.

First Minister John Swinney previously said that Monday 15 June should be designated as a national bank holiday.

The proposal was later approved by the King - but it is up to individual employers to make the decision.

The financial cost for Aberdeenshire Council had been estimated to be more than £220,000 in extra pay, as well as disrupting services.

Aberdeenshire Council said the decision followed discussions between officers and councillors.

Aberdeenshire Licensing Board had already approved a temporary blanket extension for licensed premises to screen 2026 World Cup matches.

Venues can operate into the early hours for matches, staying open for 30 minutes after the final whistle.

The council said it was hoped this approach struck the right balance.

Council staff in Moray and Shetland will also not get an additional public holiday to mark Scotland's participation in the World Cup.

However a special meeting of Aberdeen City Council's staff governance committee agreed that its staff should get the extra holiday.

Scotland's men's national team will be playing in its first World Cup since 1998 after qualifying, with a 4-2 win over Denmark at Hampden Park.

The national team will face Haiti in their first fixture at the tournament on 14 June, with kick off at 02:00 UK time.

Both other group matches, against Morocco on 19 June and Brazil on 24 June, get under way at 23:00.