THE draws for the Preliminary Rounds of both the men's and women's Scottish Cup competitions took place last night Wednesday July 26.

Three Borders men’s clubs were in the draw but no Borders teams were included in the women’s Scottish Cup.

And all three face difficult ties.

Vale of Leithen were drawn away to Dunbar United, Hawick Royal Albert have a home tie against Golspie Sutherland and Coldstream face a trip to face Musselburgh Athletic.

The ties are due to be played over the weekend of Saturday, 2 September 2023

Peeblesshire News:

The 2023/24 edition marks the first year of the Scottish FA's record-breaking partnership agreement with Scottish Gas. 

The partnership which was announced last month saw Scottish Gas become the first-ever dual-partner of both the men's and women's Scottish Cup competitions.

READ MORE: Free events in Borders scheduled for National Racehorse Week

In a bumper showpiece weekend, the Scottish Gas Scottish Cup Final is set to take place on Saturday, May 25, 2024, while the Scottish Gas Women's Scottish Cup Final will be the following day on Sunday, May 26 2024.

The Scottish FA celebrated its 150th anniversary earlier this year and this season's edition of the Scottish Cup also marks the 150th anniversary of the competition.

16 teams competed in the inaugural Scottish Cup in 1873, with Queen's Park claiming the trophy for the first time after defeating Clydesdale 2-0 on 21 March, 1874.

READ MORE: Defeat for Scotland U20s in final pool stage match in Nairobi

Celtic are the holders of both the men's and women's trophies, with the men's side having defeated Inverness Caledonian Thistle 3-1 in the final, while the women's team beat Rangers 2-0 in their Hampden showdown. 

There will be no replays in the Scottish Gas Scottish Cup, following a decision at the Scottish FA AGM. 

The key dates are as follows:

Preliminary Round One: weekend of Saturday, 12 August 2023

Preliminary Round Two: weekend of Saturday, 2 September 2023

First Round: weekend of Saturday, 23 September 2023

Second Round: weekend of Saturday, 28 October 2023

Third Round: weekend of Saturday, 25 November 2023

Fourth Round: weekend of Saturday, 20 January 2024

Fifth Round: weekend of Saturday, 10 February 2024

Quarter-Finals: weekend of Saturday, 9 March 2024

Semi-Finals: Saturday, 20 April and Sunday, 21 April 2024

Final: Saturday, 25 May 2024