2016–17 Lowland Football League
The 2016–17 Scottish Lowland Football League was the fourth season of the Lowland Football League, the fifth tier of the Scottish football pyramid system. Edinburgh City were the defending champions but could not defend their title after being promoted to Scottish League Two.
East Stirlingshire became the first club to join the league via relegation from the SPFL, having lost the League Two play-off against Edinburgh City. Threave Rovers declined the opportunity to re-apply for membership following their bottom place finish the previous season and instead rejoined the South of Scotland Football League. Hawick Royal Albert and Civil Service Strollers joined the league from the East of Scotland Football League to bring the number of clubs to 16 for the first time.
The league was won with two matches still to play by East Kilbride on 1 April 2017 after they defeated Gala Fairydean Rovers 6–1. East Kilbride defeated the winners of the 2016–17 Highland Football League in the League Two play-offs semi-finals, but lost to Cowdenbeath on penalties in the final.Teams
The following teams have changed division since the 2015–16 season.Transferred from East of Scotland League
Relegated from League Two
- East Stirlingshire
From Lowland League
Promoted to League Two
Relegated to South of Scotland League
Team | Location | Stadium | Capacity | Seats | Floodlit |
BSC Glasgow | Glasgow | Lochburn Park | 1,800 | 205 | Yes |
Civil Service Strollers | Edinburgh | Christie Gillies Park | 1,569 | TBC | No |
Cumbernauld Colts | Cumbernauld | Broadwood Stadium | 7,936 | 7,936 | Yes |
Dalbeattie Star | Dalbeattie | Islecroft Stadium | 4,000 | 250 | Yes |
East Kilbride | East Kilbride | K Park | 660 | 400 | Yes |
East Stirlingshire | Stenhousemuir | Ochilview Park | 3,746 | 626 | Yes |
Edinburgh University | Edinburgh | New Peffermill Stadium | 1,100 | 100 | Yes |
Gala Fairydean Rovers | Galashiels | 3G Arena, Netherdale | 5,500 | 495 | Yes |
Gretna 2008 | Gretna | Raydale Park | 3,000 | 1,318 | Yes |
Hawick Royal Albert | Hawick | Albert Park | 1,000 | 500 | Yes |
Preston Athletic | Prestonpans | Pennypit Park | 4,000 | 313 | Yes |
Selkirk | Selkirk | Yarrow Park | 1,000 | 100 | to be |
Spartans | Edinburgh | Ainslie Park | 3,000 | 504 | Yes |
Stirling University | Stirling | Forthbank Stadium | 3,808 | 2,508 | Yes |
Vale of Leithen | Innerleithen | Victoria Park | 1,500 | 0 | No |
Whitehill Welfare | Rosewell | Ferguson Park | 4,000 | 150 | No |
League table
Results
Lowland League play-off
A play-off was due to take place between the winners of the 2016–17 East of Scotland Football League and the 2016–17 South of Scotland Football League. However Lothian Thistle Hutchison Vale did not meet the required licensing criteria therefore Edusport Academy were promoted automatically to replace Preston Athletic.