2011–12 Scottish Cup
The 2011–12 Scottish Cup was the 127th season of Scotland's most prestigious football knockout competition. The tournament began on 24 September 2011 and ended on 19 May 2012. It was sponsored by William Hill in the first season of a three-year partnership, known as the William Hill Scottish Cup. The winner of the competition qualified for the play-off round of the 2012–13 UEFA Europa League. Heart of Midlothian won 5–1 against city rivals Hibernian at Hampden Park. Calendar Fixtures & Results First round The first round draw was conducted on 29 August 2011 at Buchanan Galleries in Glasgow. This round is populated entirely by non-league clubs: 13 clubs from the Highland Football League holding membership of the SFA (Brora Rangers, Clachnacuddin, Cove Rangers, Forres Mechanics, Fort William, Fraserburgh, Huntly, Inverurie Loco Works, Keith, Lossiemouth, Nairn County, Rothes, Wick Academy) 10 clubs from the East of Scotland League holding membership of the SFA (Civil Service Strollers, Coldstream, Edinburgh City, Edinburgh University, Gala Fairydean, Hawick Royal Albert, Preston Athletic, Selkirk, Vale of Leithen, Whitehill Welfare) 4 clubs from the South of Scotland League holding membership of the SFA (Dalbeattie Star, Newton Stewart, St Cuthbert Wanderers, Wigtown & Bladnoch) 4 other clubs holding membership of the SFA (Burntisland Shipyard, Girvan, Glasgow University, Golspie Sutherland) 4 qualifiers from the Scottish Junior Football Association (Auchinleck Talbot, Bo'ness United, Culter, Irvine Meadow) Golspie Sutherland received a bye into the Second Round. Source: First round replay Source: Second round The second round draw was conducted on 28 September 2011 at the William Hill shop in West Campbell Street in Glasgow. The 17 winners and 1 bye from the First Round enter here, along with the 10 SFL Third Division clubs (Alloa Athletic, Annan Athletic, Berwick Rangers, Clyde, East Stirlingshire, Elgin City, Montrose, Peterhead, Queen's Park, Stranraer), Highland League champions (Buckie Thistle), Highland League runners-up (Deveronvale), East of Scotland League champions (Spartans) and South of Scotland League champions (Threave Rovers). At a hearing of the SFA Judicial Panel on 10 November 2011, Spartans were expelled from the competition for fielding an unregistered and therefore ineligible player in their Second Round tie against Culter. Culter were re-instated to the Third round. Source: BBC† Spartans expelled for fielding an ineligible player. Culter progress to the Third Round. Second round replays Source: BBC Sport Third round The Third Round draw was conducted on 26 October 2011 at Musselburgh Racecourse. The 16 winners from the Second Round enter here, along with the 10 SFL Second Division clubs (Airdrie United, Albion Rovers, Arbroath, Brechin City, Cowdenbeath, Dumbarton, East Fife, Forfar Athletic, Stenhosemuir, Stirling Albion) and 6 SFL First Division clubs (Ayr United, Dundee, Greenock Morton, Livingston, Partick Thistle, Ross County) Source: BBC Sport Third round replays Source: BBC Sport Fourth round The fourth round draw was conducted on 22 November 2011 at 10:30am at Hampden Park live on Sky Sports News. The 16 winners from the third round entered here, along with the 12 SPL clubs (Aberdeen, Celtic, Dundee United, Dunfermline Athletic, Heart