Schools across Scotland evacuated after being targeted with 'bomb threats'

A number of schools across Scotland have been evacuated after being targeted with “bomb threats”, with police launching an investigation.

Police Scotland said it was treating the incidents as a hoax. STV News has contacted all 32 of Scotland’s local authorities.

Many schools across the country are still on holiday, some have an in-service day on Monday, and others have returned after their October break has finished.

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The Scottish Government said it was informed about the hoax threats.

A spokesperson said: “We are aware threatening messages have been sent to a number of schools across Scotland and elsewhere in the UK. Police Scotland is investigating and treating (them) as a hoax.”

Some schools in Edinburgh were evacuated. Edinburgh City Council confirmed no children were in school as it’s the October break. Staff at some schools in Inverclyde have been told to work from home.

Last week, nurseries and primary schools in East Lothian received an “Islamist” bomb threat. STV News understands police were treating the incident as a hoax.

“We are aware of threatening messages being sent to a number of schools across Scotland,” a Police Scotland spokesperson said.

“These are being treated as a hoax and officers are investigating.”

In Northern Ireland, some 160 schools have received “Islamist” bomb threats which are not being treated as viable, Stormont Education minister Paul Givan has said.

A PSNI spokesperson said: “Police received reports today, Monday October 19, of an email sent to a number of schools across Northern Ireland.

“As a result of this email, police are conducting urgent enquiries, and liaising with the schools in question.”

What has your council said?

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Aberdeen City Council

Aberdeen has been contacted for comment.

Aberdeenshire Council

Aberdeenshire Council said schools in the area are on their half-term holidays.

Angus Council

Angus has been contacted for comment.

Argyll and Bute Council

Argyll and Bute has been contacted for comment.

City of Edinburgh Council

City of Edinburgh Councillor James Dalgleish, Education Convener said: “While I’m obviously relieved that this is has been confirmed as a hoax, I’m hugely frustrated that someone would target schools and young people in this way – causing unnecessary disruption right across the UK.

“With it being an in-service day here in Edinburgh, the impact on our pupils was thankfully more Iimited but that doesn’t take away from the stupidity of this person’s actions.

“I am, however, reassured that our procedures were properly followed and that, as far as possible, we were able to put alternative arrangements in place.”

Clackmannanshire Council

Clackmannanshire has been contacted for comment.

Comhairle nan Eilean Siar

Comhairle nan Eilean Siar (the Western Isles Council) has been contacted for comment.

Dumfries and Galloway Council

Dumfries and Galloway Council said: “Our council is aware of threatening messages that have been sent to a number of education settings across Scotland.

“Dumfries and Galloway school settings are on holiday, returning on 26 October.

“Police Scotland are dealing with the matter and any follow up questions should be directed to them in the first instance.”

Dundee City Council

Dundee City Council has been contacted for comment.

East Ayrshire Council

East Ayrshire Council said: “This is a matter for Police Scotland.”

East Dunbartonshire Council

East Dunbartonshire Council has confirmed no schools in the area have been evacuated.

Ann Davie, Chief Executive of East Dunbartonshire Council said: “Like schools across Scotland this morning we have received these messages.

“We have liaised with Police Scotland who are treating them as a hoax and investigating the source. We will continue to take advice from Police Scotland on this matter.”

East Lothian Council

East Lothian Council confirmed a hoax email was sent to some schools last week during October break.

An East Lothian Council spokesperson said: “We are aware that Police Scotland are investigating what is believed to be a hoax communication sent to a number of schools and nurseries.

“We are working closely with Police Scotland and are supporting their enquiries. There is currently no information to suggest cause for concern.

“The safety and wellbeing of our children, young people and employees remains our highest priority and we will continue to liaise closely with Police Scotland as their investigation progresses.”

East Renfrewshire Council

An East Renfrewshire Council spokesperson said: “A malicious threat was received by many of our primary and secondary schools on 19 October and staff immediately followed all the relevant procedures.

“After notifying Police Scotland, the communication is being treated as a hoax, and our schools are operating as normal.”

Falkirk Council

Falkirk Council has been contacted for comment.

Fife Council

Fife Council has been contacted for comment.

Glasgow City Council

A Glasgow City Council spokeswoman said: “Police are treating the messages as a hoax, and we will help officers as part of their investigation.

“Our education director has issued a comms to our families to reassure them of the actions that were followed as the safety of our pupils and staff remain our top priority.”

Highland Council

A Highland Council spokesperson said: “Highland Schools are still closed this week for the October holidays and we are not aware of any such threats.”

Inverclyde Council

An Inverclyde Council spokesperson said: “We are aware of a potentially threatening email being received by schools across Inverclyde.

“Police Scotland has confirmed it is treating this incident as a hoax.

“As today, Monday 19 october 2026, is an in-service day, we have issued reassurance and advice to teachers who are working today.

“Schools have responded appropriately throughout the morning based on the information available at the time and some have decided for staff to work from home for the remainder of the day.

“We expect schools to be open as normal tomorrow, Tuesday 20 October 2026.

“We will issue further details as and when we receive more information.”

Midlothian Council

Midlothian Council said: “We are aware that a number of Midlothian schools have received a threatening email this morning.

“Police Scotland are investigating communications sent to schools and colleges on Monday the 19th of October.

“These are being treated as a hoax. We have been in discussion with police who are assured the is no imminent risk and advised that schools should continue with their day as planned.”

Moray Council

A Moray Council spokesperson said: “Some Moray Council schools, which are currently closed for the holidays, have received these messages that Police Scotland is treating as a hoax.

“Police Scotland is currently investigating and any further information necessary will be sent to parents and carers before schools go back next week.”

North Ayrshire Council

A North Ayrshire Council spokesperson said: “We can confirm that a number of our schools received malicious communications which have been deemed not credible.

“We are liaising with Police Scotland who are currently investigating similar incidents across the country.”

North Lanarkshire Council

North Lanarkshire Council confirmed no schools have been evacuated today.

A spokesperson for North Lanarkshire Council said: “We are working closely with Police Scotland and these incidents are being treated as a hoax.

“This type of activity disrupts essential services, including schools and nurseries, and diverts staff and resources away from delivering vital support to those who rely on them most.

“Our schools have well-established procedures for dealing with these type of incidents and parents, carers and pupils are reminded that all schools remain open.”

Orkney Islands Council

Orkney Islands has been contacted for comment.

Perth and Kinross Council

Perth and Kinross Council has been contacted for comment.

Renfrewshire Council

Renfrewshire has been contacted for comment.

Scottish Borders Council

Scottish Borders Council said: “Scottish Borders Council, along with a number of UK local authorities, have reported receiving an email regarding a device reportedly located within our schools.

“The matter has been referred to Police Scotland. At this stage, the incident is being treated as a hoax.

We will continue to liaise with Police Scotland.”

Shetland Islands Council

Shetland Islands Council said “We are not aware of any impact on local schools, which are currently closed for October break”

South Ayrshire Council

South Ayrshire has been contacted for comment.

South Lanarkshire Council

South Lanarkshire has been contacted for comment.

Stirling Council

A Stirling Council spokesperson said: “We can confirm that schools and nurseries within the Council area received a threatening email this morning.

“While our primary and secondary schools are closed to pupils for the October break at this time, some nurseries remain open.

“We have liaised with Police Scotland on this matter and following assurances given that there is no credible threat, all facilities remain operational as normal.”