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Alcohol licensing in Scotland

How alcohol licensing works in Scotland under the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005 — five licensing objectives, Licensing Boards, premises and personal licences, occasional licences, overprovision, and minimum unit pricing.

Scotland
Guide summary

If you sell alcohol in Scotland, you must get a premises licence from your local Licensing Board. You also need a personal licence, which lasts 10 years but requires refresher training every 5 years. Check the minimum unit price rules and apply for occasional licences if needed.

  • Apply for a premises licence from your local Licensing Board
  • Get a personal licence (valid 10 years, refresher training every 5 years)
  • Pay occasional licence fee: £10 per event
  • Follow minimum unit price: 65p per unit from September 2024
  • Off-sales hours: 10am to 10pm maximum
  • Name a premises manager with a personal licence
  • Complete Scottish Certificate for Personal Licence Holders (SCPLH)
  • Check local Licensing Board fees (typically £200-£2,000)
  • Contact Licensing Standards Officers for help
  • Keep records of all alcohol sales
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Scotland

Related guides in Alcohol Licensing

Alcohol licensing requirements

How to obtain a premises licence to sell alcohol in England and Wales, including application process, fees, designated …

If you run a business in Scotland that sells or supplies alcohol, you are governed by the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005 — a completely separate system from the Licensing Act 2003 that applies in England and Wales.

This guide explains how the Scottish licensing system works, the key differences from England and Wales, and what you need to do to comply.

Premises licence in Scotland

To sell alcohol from your premises in Scotland, you must apply for a premises licence from your local Licensing Board. Each of Scotland's 32 council areas has a Licensing Board (a council may divide its area into divisions, each with its own Board).

The application process includes:

  • Completing the application form with an operating plan
  • Providing a layout plan of the premises
  • Naming a premises manager who holds a Scottish personal licence
  • Paying the application fee — fees are set nationally as maximum amounts by rateable value band (£200 to £2,000 under the Licensing (Fees) (Scotland) Regulations 2007); each Board determines the fee it charges up to the cap
  • A consultation period during which objections can be raised (the public objection window is 21 days)

The Licensing Board will assess your application against the five licensing objectives and their local licensing policy statement.

Personal licence in Scotland

The Scottish personal licence is different from the English/Welsh version:

  • Qualification: Scottish Certificate for Personal Licence Holders (SCPLH) — different from the English BIIAB qualification
  • Validity: 10 years (not indefinite as in England)
  • Refresher training: Mandatory every 5 years — failure to complete refresher training revokes the licence
  • Issuing authority: Apply to the Licensing Board in the area where you live

Occasional licences

Scotland uses occasional licences instead of Temporary Event Notices. Key differences:

  • Fee is £10 per event
  • Can be applied for by a premises licence holder, a personal licence holder, or a voluntary organisation (section 56 of the 2005 Act)
  • No statutory annual limit for premises or personal licence holders (unlike the 5/50 TEN limit in England)
  • Voluntary organisations are limited to 4 licences of 4 or more days and 12 licences of less than 4 days, up to 56 days in total in any 12-month period
  • Licensed for up to 14 days per event
  • Police can object on any of the five licensing objectives

Licensing Standards Officers

Each Scottish council employs Licensing Standards Officers (LSOs) who provide guidance and monitor compliance. LSOs can:

  • Provide advice and information to licence holders
  • Mediate between licence holders and complainants
  • Report compliance issues to the Licensing Board
  • Submit review applications to the Board

LSOs are a valuable source of guidance — contact your local LSO if you have questions about compliance.

Off-sales hours

Scotland has mandatory restrictions on off-sales (alcohol sold for consumption off the premises):

  • Maximum permitted hours: 10am to 10pm
  • Individual Licensing Boards can set more restrictive hours
  • Multi-buy discounts and quantity-based promotions for off-sales are banned
Find your local Licensing Board (opens in a new tab)