The extent of resource use—land, capital, labour and management—in Scottish agriculture in the early 1980s is estimated, using available published data. The main developments that have occurred to create this resource base are outlined, with the likely changes that will influence its nature by the mid 1990s. Each of 3 agricultural sectors—dairying, arable and livestock—is considered in turn. The paper concludes by outlining broadly the nature of the base as it might appear by the mid 1990s from the effects of economic and market forces. The pressures on land and labour use, from limitations on production of milk and arable crops but expanded lowland stock enterprises, are highlighted. The serious consequences for agricultural land and labour use in the more remote disadvantaged areas of Scotland are recognised, as is the need to consider the social/amenity value of the retention of a sufficient agricultural base in these areas. Finally, some of the issues and questions associated with the maintenance of agriculture in the hills in the future are indicated.