Final Highland League Table 1980-81 (As of 31st May, 1981) - Keith are champions
| Club | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | P | |
| 1 | Keith | 30 | 17 | 8 | 5 | 52 | 26 | +26 | 42 |
| 2 | Fraserburgh | 30 | 17 | 7 | 6 | 55 | 31 | +24 | 41 |
| 3 | Elgin City | 30 | 17 | 6 | 7 | 63 | 32 | +29 | 40 |
| 4 | Clachnacuddin | 30 | 14 | 9 | 7 | 55 | 42 | +23 | 37 |
| 5 | Buckie Thistle | 30 | 15 | 6 | 9 | 63 | 43 | +20 | 36 |
| 6 | Peterhead | 30 | 14 | 8 | 8 | 50 | 35 | +15 | 36 |
| 7 | Rothes | 30 | 14 | 7 | 9 | 55 | 40 | +15 | 35 |
| 8 | Inverness Thistle | 30 | 15 | 4 | 11 | 62 | 42 | +20 | 34 |
| 9 | Inverness Caledonian | 30 | 11 | 8 | 11 | 48 | 44 | +4 | 30 |
| 10 | Brora Rangers | 30 | 12 | 6 | 12 | 49 | 47 | +2 | 30 |
| 11 | Ross County | 30 | 13 | 3 | 14 | 51 | 59 | -8 | 29 |
| 12 | Huntly | 30 | 10 | 8 | 12 | 63 | 65 | -2 | 28 |
| 13 | Deveronvale | 30 | 6 | 10 | 14 | 40 | 68 | -28 | 22 |
| 14 | Nairn County | 30 | 6 | 8 | 16 | 49 | 74 | -25 | 20 |
| 15 | Lossiemouth | 30 | 2 | 6 | 22 | 30 | 70 | -40 | 10 |
| 16 | Forres Mechanics | 30 | 3 | 4 | 23 | 31 | 98 | -67 | 10 |