1841 6 June 1841
1851 30 March 1851
1861 7 April 1861
1871 2 April 1871
1881 3 April 1881
1891 5 April 1891
1901 31 March 1901
1911 2 April 1911
The Scottish government has taken a census every ten years since 1801 except in 1941. The censuses from 1841-1911 are available for public use. It is important to note that in the countries of Great Britain, the census was compiled from forms (known as schedules) filled in by the head of each household. The Census takers (called enumerators) copied this data into census books for the parish or registration district. As a result, names are spelled as the family spelled them at that time.
Census takers were instructed to list only those persons who spent the night in the household when the census was taken. People who were traveling, at boarding schools, or working away from home are listed where they spent the night. For example, night watchmen are often listed at their employer's business address rather than with their families.
Indexes:
Ancestry http://www.ancestry.co.uk
Find my Past http://www.findmypast.co.uk
Free Cen http://www.freecen.org.uk/
Scotlands People http://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk
NOTE: there are also some small local indexes available at the FHL.