[8] The format featured several changes from the previous season because of the increased number of eligible clubs and the tournament's compressed schedule.
Auchinleck Talbot, Burntisland Shipyard, Girvan, and Golspie Sutherland withdrew from the competition after the initial format was announced.
SJFA North Region Banks O' Dee, Blackburn United, Broxburn Athletic, Camelon Juniors, Coldstream, Dundonald Bluebell, Dunipace, Easthouses Lily Miners Welfare, Glasgow University, Haddington Athletic, Hawick Royal Albert United, Hill of Beath Hawthorn, Jeanfield Swifts, Linlithgow Rose, Newton Stewart, Newtongrange Star, Preston Athletic, Threave Rovers, Tranent Juniors, Tynecastle, Whitehill Welfare and Wigtown & Bladnoch received a bye to the second preliminary round.
The draw for the first round took place on Sunday 13 December 2020 at 10am live on the Scottish Cup YouTube, Facebook and Twitter accounts.
The second round was scheduled to take place on the weekend of 9 January 2021, however a number of matches were postponed following freezing temperatures.
The draw for the second round took place on Monday 28 December 2020 at 7:15pm live on the Scottish Cup YouTube, Facebook and Twitter accounts.
The draw for the third round took place on Sunday 10 January 2021 at 11am live on the Scottish Cup YouTube, Facebook and Twitter accounts.
The draw for the fourth round took place on Sunday 4 April 2021 at 2pm live on the Scottish Cup YouTube, Facebook and Twitter accounts.
Following the death of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, the fourth round matches were rearranged to avoid clashing with his funeral on 17 April 2021.
The draw for the quarter-finals took place on Sunday 4 April 2021 at 2pm live on the Scottish Cup YouTube, Facebook and Twitter accounts.
The draw for the semi-finals took place on Monday 26 April 2021 live on BBC Scotland following the Kilmarnock v St Mirren tie.