Outlines the emergence and principal characteristics of the contemporary Scottish educational system and compares it with that of other parts of the UK. Identifies problems of post‐16 education, together with the various recent reforms which have been introduced in Scotland to deal with the deficit in the amount and quality of vocational education. Though recognizing that it is too early to make any conclusive evaluation of these, makes a number of pertinent observations which reflect on the significance of what has been undertaken with regard to various issues, including certification, the parity of vocational qualifications with others, post‐school training, specific Scottish considerations, the LECs and SCOTVEC.