Originally from Liverpool, England, he moved to the newly established Swan River Colony in 1829.

[1] In addition to his civic and harbour duties, he was involved with launching a number of enterprises in early Western Australia, including the first whaling business, the first ship builders (he built the first large ship from local timber), and a lead mining business.

[2] He built up experience on ships journeying to the Gold Coast and the West Indies, enabling him to gain employment as a deputy harbour-master in Fremantle in 1829.

[3] Scott was given a grant of 1,600 hectares (4,000 acres) on the Swan River by the British government instead of any pay or pension owing.

A gala was organised to celebrate the launching of Lady Stirling, which was the first large ship built from local timber.

He was noted for using his own boats on colonial business but an injury to his arm made him relinquish this task and "retire".

[2] Scott and his daughter occupy two of the graves featured in Fremantle Cemetery's Historical Walk Trail.

[14] As part of the WAY '79 celebrations in 1979, 150 plaques were laid along St Georges Terrace in Perth, each commemorating an important Western Australian.

The land where Scott's first warehouse became a temporary prison for convicts is now the location of the Esplanade Hotel.