when can i buy alcohol in scotland

In Scotland, shops and supermarkets can usually only sell alcohol between 10:00 and 22:00, every day of the week, including Sundays. Pubs, bars and restaurants can serve alcohol later than this, but their exact hours depend on their individual premises licence and local council rules, so last orders are often around 23:00–00:00, with some late‑night venues going on into the early hours.

Off‑licence and supermarket hours

• Most off‑licences, corner shops and supermarkets are restricted to selling alcohol from 10:00 to 22:00. Even 24‑hour supermarkets cannot sell alcohol outwith this window.

• This 10:00–22:00 rule applies seven days a week, so there is no later Sunday start time anymore (it used to be 12:30 on Sundays before a 2009 change).

• Local licensing boards can add extra conditions, and individual shops sometimes choose more limited alcohol hours than the legal maximum.

Pubs, bars and restaurants

• On‑licence premises (where you drink on site) follow the hours on their specific licence, approved by the local licensing board.

• Typical serving hours run until around 23:00 in standard pubs, with some bars and clubs licensed until 01:00–02:00 or later, plus a short “drinking‑up” period (often about 15 minutes) after last orders.

• Hotels and certain venues (for example in airports) can sometimes have 24‑hour service for residents or ticketed passengers if their licence permits it.

Age limits and ID

• You must be at least 18 to buy alcohol in Scotland; many retailers follow a Challenge 25 policy and will ask for ID if you look under 25.

• Acceptable ID is typically a passport, photocard driving licence, or an approved PASS‑hologram card.

• Staff can refuse a sale if they suspect the alcohol is for someone underage, even if the buyer is over 18. This is why groups with someone who appears underage may be questioned.

Other rules to keep in mind

• Many Scottish local authorities have by‑laws that restrict drinking alcohol in certain public places (like town centres or parks), sometimes at all times, sometimes only at specific times.

• Scotland also has tighter rules on promotions, such as a ban on multi‑buy deals in shops (e.g., “3 for 2” on alcohol), to reduce harmful drinking.

• Selling alcohol outside licensed hours is a criminal offence for businesses and can lead to heavy fines, loss of licence and even prosecution.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.