Partick Thistle were confirmed as 2012–13 champions, on 20 April following their 2-0 win over Falkirk.

Ross County were promoted to the Scottish Premier League as champions, while Dunfermline Athletic were relegated from the SPL to this division.

They were replaced by Second Division champions Cowdenbeath, and Dumbarton as winners of the promotion play-offs.

As a result, the playoff losing finalist Airdrie United were promoted to the First Division to fill the gap caused by Dundee replacing Rangers in the SPL.

The play-offs were played over two legs, the winning team in each semi-final advancing to the final.