The Scottish League was established in 1890. Queen's Park, an amateur club, was not allowed initially to take part in the competition. Abercorn, Cambuslang, Celtic, Cowlairs, Dumbarton, Glasgow Rangers, Heart of Midlothian, Renton, St Mirren, Third Lanark and Vale of Leven competed for the title in the 1890-91 season. Dumbarton and Rangers both acquired the same number of points and after a 2-2 draw in the play-off, they were declared joint-winners of the competition.

Since 1890 Glasgow Rangers and Celtic have dominated the competition. Rangers has won the league title on 51 occasions whereas Celtic have been champions 40 times. The same is true of the Scottish Cup with Celtic winning 33 times compared to Rangers 31.