The 1981–82 Scottish First Division season was won by Motherwell by ten points over nearest rival Kilmarnock.
Motherwell and Kilmarnock finished 1st and second respectively and were promoted to the 1982–83 Scottish Premier Division.
East Stirlingshire and Queen of the South F.C.
finished 13th and 14th respectively and were relegated to the 1982–83 Scottish Second Division.