The 1970–71 season was the 98th season of competitive football in Scotland and the 74th season of Scottish league football.

[1] Aberdeen, with a 15-game unbeaten run, led the league from December until the last week of the season.

Aberdeen faced Celtic in their penultimate game, needing a win to almost certainly clinch the title, but could only draw 1–1 and then they lost their last game, at Falkirk, allowing Celtic to take the championship by 2 points.

Champions: Celtic Relegated: St Mirren, Cowdenbeath Promoted: Partick Thistle, East Fife * – aggregate over two legs† – play off‡ – won on penalties Key: