Scotland and Scottish football clubs hold many records for football attendances;

The highest ever attendance for a UEFA competition match was in the 1969-70 European Cup semi-final at Hampden Park, Scotland's National stadium. A record 136,505 people attended that Cup semi-final.
The attendance of 149,415 for the Scotland vs. England match of 1937 at Hampden Park is also a European record.
The attendance of 146,433 for the 1937 Scottish Cup final between Celtic and Aberdeen at Hampden Park is a European record for a club match. Rangers' record attendance of 118,567 is a British record for a league match.

Origins
A game known as "football" was played in Scotland as early as the 15th century: it was prohibited by the Football Act 1424 and although the law fell into disuse it was not repealed until 1906. There is evidence for schoolboys playing a "football" ball game in Aberdeen in 1633 (some references cite 1636) which is notable as an early allusion to what some have considered to be passing the ball. The word "pass" in the most recent translation is derived from "huc percute" (strike it here) and later "repercute pilam" (strike the ball again) in the original Latin. It is not certain that the ball was being struck between members of the same team. The original word translated as "goal" is "metum", literally meaning the "pillar at each end of the circus course" in a Roman chariot race. There is a reference to "get hold of the ball before [another player] does" (Praeripe illi pilam si possis agere) suggesting that handling of the ball was allowed. One sentence states in the original 1930 translation "Throw yourself against him" (Age, objice te illi).

It is clear that the game was rough and tackles allowed included the "charging" and pushing/holding of opposing players ("drive that man back" in the original translation, "repelle eum" in original Latin). It has been suggested that this game bears similarities to rugby football. Contrary to media reports in 2006 there is no reference to forward passing, game rules, marking players or team formation. These reports described it as "an amazing new discovery" but has actually been well documented in football history literature since the early twentieth century and available on the internet since at least 2000. English public schools, such as Eton and Harrow, "civilised" the game by drawing up rules that encouraged players to kick the ball and forbid them from carrying it.

Scottish Football Association
The Scottish Football Association (SFA) is the principal organising body for Scottish football. Members of the SFA include clubs in Scotland, affiliated national associations as well as local associations. It was formed in 1873, making it the World's second oldest national football association. The SFA is responsible for the operation of the Scotland national football team, the annual Scottish Cup and several other duties important to the functioning of the game in Scotland.

League
League football in Scotland is split between the Scottish Premier League and the Scottish Football League. Beneath these leagues is a system of regional semi-professional and amateur leagues most notable the Highland League, East of Scotland League, South of Scotland League and the Junior leagues.

Scottish Premier League
The Scottish Premier League (SPL) is the top league in Scotland, and consists of a single division of 12 teams. It has existed since 1998 (before then the top league was the Premier Division of the Scottish Football League). This league has one of the world's most famous football rivalries; between Celtic and Rangers. Together the two clubs are known as the 'Old Firm' by virtue of the profitability of their rivalry. Both teams have won more awards than other teams such as Real Madrid and A.C. Milan who struggle to keep up with the Old Firm with League Wins (Rangers have 52 league championships and Celtic have 42). Rangers have won more league championships than any other club in the world and are second only to Linfield from Northern Ireland in terms of trophies won.

Scottish Football League
The Scottish Football League resides below the SPL, and consists of three divisions, each containing 10 teams.

Teams are relegated and promoted between the divisions, but relegation from the Third Division does not occur (from the 2005–06 season onwards, dismissal from the Third Division will occur if a club finishes bottom three seasons in a row). In case of dismissal or withdrawal of a team (such as for economic reasons, etc.) a senior non-League level side has to be elected in its place. The top team in the First Division is eligible for promotion to the SPL, but in the past some teams have been unable to do so due to not meeting the stadium requirements. Previously, requirements were that clubs had to have 10,000 seats in their ground, but this was changed to 6,000. Clubs must also have under-soil heating systems to prevent cancellation of matches caused by frozen pitches. Queen's Park, uniquely, is the only true amateur (players are not paid) member of the League still standing, having been a League member since 1900. In theory the club could qualify for SPL promotion due to its use of Hampden Park, but they have not played in Scotland's top flight since the 1957–58 season.

Senior non-league level
Outwith the SFL are a series of regionalised leagues. This level is referred to as 'non-league' and these three leagues are known as 'senior' non-league.

Highland Football League, covering the north, north east and north west of Scotland, not just the Highlands as it’s name would suggest. This has been hard hit by a number of 'defections' to the Scottish Football League, though the Highland League has compensated by admitting new teams to its league in a similar way. Recent examples include Inverurie Loco Works.