Education in rural Scottish schools has changed rapidly over the past 15 years. These changes include the implementation of national curriculum and assessment guidelines, increased parental influence and a shift from local authority based management to more locally based schemes. During the 1990s, research in the field focused largely on learning and teaching, on the role of the head teacher as curriculum and professional leader, and schools' responses to changes through interschool collaboration. More recently, research has commented on rural schools' involvement in nationally implemented programmes with a social focus, such as New Community Schools, and in health education. Preparation for rural headship and for teaching in rural schools provide opportunities for further research at this time. (Contains 2 tables and 3 figures.)