Three-time defending champions Vale of Leven lost their first match in the competition for four seasons when they were knocked out in the first round, losing 4–3 to rivals Dumbarton.

Queen's Park regained the trophy as they won the competition for the fourth time after beating Thornliebank 3–0 in the final on 21 February 1880.

The home team for each tie was determined by the toss of a coin unless it was mutually agreed or only one of the two clubs drawn against one another had a private ground.

The remaining eight sides – namely Barrhead Rangers, Bellshill, Cartside, Dennistoun, High School, Plains Blue Bell, Stewarton Cunninghame and Strathmore – were admitted into the competition in the second round.

Although 142 teams were entered in the competition, it was not uncommon for clubs to merge or fold without the Scottish Football Association being notified so they were still included in the draw for the cup.

Both teams would advance to the second round after they drew their replay on 27 September and the Scottish Football Association decided to allow them both into the draw.

It would be the first time the defending champions failed to make it past the first hurdle as a brace from Joseph Lindsay helped Dumbarton to a 4–3 win in their first competitive match at Boghead Park.

[5][6][7] Queen's Park and Rangers played out a goalless draw in front of 7,000 spectators at Kinning Park[8][9] to set up a replay a week later while Kilmarnock Athletic defeated Ayr 6–0, Thornliebank won 4–0 at home to Yoker, Netherlee and Morton drew 0–0[10] and Renton were held to a 2–2 draw by Kilmarnock Thistle.

[4] In the replays on 27 September, Queen's Park exacted revenge for the previous season's defeat as they trounced Rangers 5–1 at Hampden Park,[11][12] Morton and Netherlee shared 11 goals as the former advanced 7–4 at Cappielow[13] and Renton recorded the biggest win of the round, defeating Kilmarnock Thistle 8–0 away from home.

[4] Jamestown had defeated Star of Leven 2–1 on 20 September but would later be disqualified from the competition after the referee for their second round match against Kirkintilloch Athletic was found to be a member of the club.

[4] Sources:[20] A further two sides scratched from the competition as Cumnock and Strathmore were given a walkover against Tarbolton Burntonians and St Clement's respectively while Arbroath, Parkgrove and Renfrew received a bye to the third round.

[4] The third round began on 1 November 1879 with a clutch of ties, included amongst them; Dumbarton's 5–0 win over Renton,[35][36] Queen's Park's 5–1 triumph against Partick,[37] Thornliebank's 1–0 defeat of Barrhead Rangers and Parkgrove's first match in the competition after they benefitted from a walkover and a bye in the previous rounds, a 6–2 defeat of Alexandra Athletic.