Monthly rises in every single insolvency category
In February 2026 there were 98 company insolvencies registered in Scotland which, while 24 higher than last month (25%) was actually 5% lower than the same month a year previously.
The total number of company insolvencies was comprised of 50 Company Voluntary Liquidations (CVLs) (up from 42); 39 compulsory liquidations (up from 32); six administrations (up from zero); two receivership appointments (up from zero) and one Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA) (up from zero).
It’s important to note that Scotland’s insolvency regime is partly devolved.
The Accountant in Bankruptcy (AiB) is Scotland’s insolvency service and administers the Register of Insolvencies which is a publicly accessible statutory register regarding the insolvency of individuals and businesses in Scotland including company liquidations and receiverships.
Between June 26th 2020 and February 28th 2026, there were three restructuring plans and two moratoriums in Scotland.
Scotland has always traditionally recorded more compulsory liquidations than any other kind of insolvency procedure but CVLs overtook them in April 2020 and typically remained higher until a three month period from March to June in 2025, when they retook the higher position.
The total insolvency rate in Scotland in the 12 months to February 2026 was 51.8 per 10,000 companies on the effective register. This was up by 0.2 from the preceding 12 months ending in February 2025.
The total number of company insolvencies for the whole of the UK in February 2026 was 2,001 – a month-on-month increase of 162.
Chris Horner, Insolvency Director with BusinessRescueExpert, said: “As we wrote last month, Scottish insolvencies in January tend to suffer from a ‘Hogmanay Hangover’ and are nearly always lower than the preceding month.
“A 25% increase in the number of insolvencies in February is noteworthy however as is the fact that every single category – voluntary and compulsory liquidations, administrations, CVAs and even receiverships – saw monthly increases from January.
“This shows that many directors and owners of Scottish businesses are seizing the opportunities available to them to protect and strengthen their businesses if possible or close them with a minimum of fuss and stress.”
So whether your 2026 has got off to a flying start or you’re struggling to pick up the pace – there is still plenty of time to get to where you want to be.
Get in touch with us for a free initial consultation about the options you could have to help you create and work through a feasible plan and strategy no matter what your short and medium term goals for the year.
We’ll help you to implement them – the sooner you get in touch, the sooner we can begin.